The Ottawa Senators had their eyes on Tyler Kleven since he played for the US National Under-17 team in 2018-19. And when they had an opportunity to select the burly defenseman at the 2020 Entry Draft, they did just that. General manager Pierre Dorion dealt a 2020 second and third pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs to move up 15 spots in order to select Kleven 44th overall.
Mere days after completing his junior season at the University of North Dakota, the native of Fargo, ND signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Senators.
While there are no guarantees, per the Senators GM that Kleven will suit up prior to the 2022-23 campaign’s conclusion, if and when he does, he’ll become the fourth member of the 2020-21 Fighting Hawks roster to make an appearance for the Senators. Jacob Bernard-Docker, Shane Pinto, and Jake Sanderson are the others.
Kleven finishes his three-year collegiate career with 20 goals and 15 assists in 95 games, which included 214 penalty minutes. Eight of those 20 markers were scored this season to go along with 10 helpers.
At six-foot-four, 201 pounds, the burly d-man is the mirror opposite of his former teammate, Sanderson with whom he shared a 2020 World Junior Gold Medal.
Post-trade deadline, Dorion explained their different skill sets.
“They’re totally different. Kleven is more physical, can skate, but no one really skates as well as Jake Sanderson. The edges on Jake are elite if I can say that. But a powerful skater – big shot – moves the puck. Tyler will rely a bit more on his range. Jake’s details are a bit better when he left compared to where Tyler is. But you need both. And that’s what’s important. They’re both different. If you’re going to play against a heavier team, Tyler might be a bit more useful as a matchup and take those important minutes that you need. So they all look to players are like but they will bring really good qualities to the table to help us win. That’s what matters the most,” explained Dorion.
The Senators’ GM added Thursday, “He’s someone we’re really excited to have to join our organization. He’s someone that is a unique player in our estimation…He’s not the type of defenseman that we have right now in our pool of prospects or on our team. He’s someone we’re really excited to come to terms with.”
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