Born in Roseville, Minnesota, Chris McAlpine was chosen 137th overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft after starring with his local high school. He then accepted a scholarship to the University of Minnesota where he played abrasive defence in his own zone and scored 36 goals in four years. In 1994 McAlpine was named to the WCHA First All-Star Team and the NCAA West Second All-American Team.
The young blueliner split the 1994-95 season between the AHL's Albany River Rats and the Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils. After spending most of the next two season in Albany, McAlpine was traded to the St. Louis Blues in February 1997. He was a solid role player on the Blues but had to compete for ice time on one of the league's deepest rosters.
The 1999-00 season was a whirlwind tour for McAlpine as he spent time in St. Louis, Tampa Bay, and Atlanta while also toiling briefly in the AHL and IHL. In July 2000, he signed as a free agent with the Chicago Blackhawks. McAlpine averaged nearly 18 minutes in 50 games while recording a solid +5 plus/minus rating.
Over the next two seasons, McAlpine split his time with Chicago and the team's AHL affiliate in Norfolk before joining the Los Angeles Kings organization in 2002-03.
