Tyler Kleven

September 2023 – Kleven played one game against New Jersey in the prospects tournament held in Buffalo. He played with confidence and activated from defense a few times to join the rush to show the Senators that he is not just a stay at home defender. There is a bit of a logjam ahead of him on the backend in Ottawa, so look for him to get 30-40 games in with Belleville in the AHL to start the season. His ceiling could be as high as top-four in the NHL. Grant Campbell

May 2023 – Kleven finished his third year at the University of North Dakota then signed with the Senators. He ended up playing eight games for Ottawa and had two assists, nine hits and seven blocked shots. He is more than likely destined for Belleville and the AHL and depending on how he does he could see some cups of coffee once again. There is no rush. Grant Campbell

March 2023 – Kleven’s third year at the University of North Dakota came to an end and the 21-year-old rearguard will need to make a decision on whether to turn pro or go back for his fourth year. He’s made steps to improve his offensive game and there are some who feel that he is ready for the NHL next season. Grant Campbell

August 2022 – Kleven was solid with Team USA at the U20 World Juniors where he played all five games but went pointless while averaging just over 19 minutes per game. He was looking to add to his WJC gold medal from 2021, but the USA was shocked by Czechia in the Quarter-Finals.  Grant Campbell

June 2022 – Kleven played his sophomore season with Jake Sanderson at the University of North Dakota this past year and played 38 games with seven goals and three assists, while adding 93 PIM. He has informed the Senators that he will be going back to school for the 2022-23 season. Grant Campbell

January 2021 – The K-Train is heading back to North Dakota sporting some new gold hardware. The American defender was a part of the American gold medal-winning squad at the World Juniors and despite a muted role as the extra defenseman, Kleven showed some flashes of what makes him one of Senators’ Twitter’s favorite prospects. He threw some hits, shot some pucks hard, and was decent defensively at times. For a player not even invited to camp initially, Kleven can’t be anything but ecstatic over his World Juniors experience this year. Tony Ferrari

December 2020 – Kleven has been added to the preliminary roster for Team USA. He has had a decent start to his season but his best game came in his final before the national team roster addition as he showed some of his hidden skill, scoring one of the nicer goals of his hockey career. The big defensive blueliner may be on the outside looking in when the U.S. U20 roster is finalized but his addition to the camp is a testament to the respect he has with the national team and his solid start to the year with the University of North Dakota. Tony Ferrari 

October 2020 – The Ottawa Senators traded up in the draft to select the big American defender, sending picks 59 and 64 to Toronto for 44th overall. Kleven played for the U.S. National Team Development Program in Plymouth, Michigan. His massive frame and above-average skating are what sold him to the Senators’ front office and they will hope that their player development staff can help develop the rest of his game. He is a decent defender who can close out an attacking player as they cross the blueline and his in-zone defense is above average. Kleven is a big hitter who will provide some value in multi-cat leagues but his offensive upside is fairly limited. He will need to bring his passing game up a step or two and he will need to make better decisions when it comes to when he is attempting to throw the big hit but if he can reign himself in a bit, he could a solid defensive blueliner who can add some physicality to the lineup. He will be attending the University of North Dakota, with fellow Senators draft choice and U.S. NTDP alum Jake Sanderson. Playing NCAA hockey will be an excellent place for the hulking American to develop his puck skills and decision making. Tony Ferrari