Chan started playing football at age six with Taupo United rugby union club, playing rugby league with Taupa Hawks from age 10.[8] He was educated at St Stephen's boarding school near Auckland, and was selected in both junior rugby league and rugby union representative teams.[8]
After leaving school, Chan played two seasons with Taupo Broncos.
After the 2000 season, Chan was a regular first grade player for the Parramatta Eels from 2001 to 2003, coming from the interchange bench in their 2001 NRL grand final loss to the Newcastle Knights. While with the Eels, he was hampered by injuries, suffering three broken arms in two years[8] limiting him to 26 appearances.
Chan played for Melbourne Storm during the 2004 and 2005 seasons where he was suspended three times by the judiciary for high tackles. During round 20 of the 2004 NRL season, Chan was charged and later suspended for four weeks after a reckless high tackle on Parramatta player Nathan Hindmarsh.[11]
Granted an early release from his contract in Melbourne,[12] Chan finished his professional career at the end of the 2008 Super League season, after making 86 appearances for Catalans Dragons, including in the 2007 Challenge Cup Final.