The Ottawa Senators announced today that they have agreed to terms with University of North Dakota defenceman, Tyler Kleven. Kleven joins the Senators following three seasons with the UND Fighting Hawks.
In his three years at UND, Kleven amassed 20 goals and 15 assists in 95 career games. He built a reputation for being a reliable defender with a keen ability to shut down one-on-one rushes and keeping the puck carrier along the boards upon entry. On the offensive side of the puck he has a mean one-timer and has shown flashes of being an adept playmaker.
Prior to joining UND the Fargo, North Dakota native spent two years as a member of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (USNTDP). In the 2018-19 season Kleven played 52 games with the U17 team and logged five goals and three assists for eight total points while also playing up with the U18 team for one game. The following season while playing for the U18 team he tallied two goals and ten assists for 12 points in 45 games. Additionally, in two seasons with the USNTDP Juniors playing in the USHL he racked up two goals and three assists in 48 games.
On the national stage Kleven has participated in three major tournaments. In 2019 he participated in the U-17 Hockey Challenge where he was held without a point. In 2021 he was a part of the USA U-20 team at the World Junior Championship where he helped his country take home gold alongside fellow Senator and UND teammate, Jake Sanderson. Finally, he played five games for the USA at the 2022 World Juniors where they lost in the quarter finals to Czechia.
Drafted with the 13th pick of the 2020 NHL draft Kleven will have the opportunity to play alongside fellow draft classmates, Tim Stützle, Jake Sanderson and Ridly Greig.
Along with Sanderson, Kleven will be reunited with fellow UND alumni, Shane Pinto and Jacob Bernard-Docker in joining the Senators. With that he will become the fourth Fighting Hawk to lace up for the Senators since the 2018 NHL draft.
