Tyler Kleven

Tyler Kleven
Kleven with the Belleville Senators in 2024
Born (2002-01-10) January 10, 2002
Fargo, North Dakota, U.S.
Height 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight 200 lb (91 kg; 14 st 4 lb)
Position Defense
Shoots Left
NHL team Ottawa Senators
National team  United States
NHL draft 44th overall, 2020
Ottawa Senators
Playing career 2023–present

Tyler Kleven (born January 10, 2002) is an American professional ice hockey player who is a defenseman for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). He played college hockey with the University of North Dakota. He was selected 44th overall in the second round of the 2020 NHL entry draft by the Senators. After leaving college, he began his professional career with the Senators in 2023.

Early life

Kleven was born January 10, 2002, in Fargo, North Dakota,[1] to Chris and Lori Kleven.[2] His father, a former defenseman for the Waterloo Black Hawks of the United States Hockey League (USHL) and the Northern Michigan Wildcats, built a backyard ice rink for Kleven and coached him as a child.[3] Originally a forward, Kleven switched to playing defense at the age of eight to better accommodate his defensive mindset.[4]

Playing career

Amateur

Kleven joined the University of North Dakota (UND) hockey program in 2020 after spending two seasons with the U.S. National Development Program in the United States Hockey League.[5] In his first season with the Fighting Hawks in 2020–21, he made 22 appearances, scoring five goals and two assists for seven points.[6] The team topped the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) earning the Penrose Cup, and won the Frozen Faceoff as playoff champions. This marked the first time a team in the NCHC and earned both titles.[7] The Fighting Hawks advanced to the 2021 NCAA Tournament, where they were knocked out by University of Minnesota Duluth in the longest game in NCAA tournament history.[8]

In his sophomore season with UND in 2021–22, he played in 38 games, scoring seven goals and ten points.[6] The Fighting Hawks tied the University of Denver atop the regular season standings to share the 2022 Penrose Cup, but were knocked out in the playoff semifinals by Western Michigan University.[9][10] As league co-champions they were invited to the 2022 NCAA Tournament, but were eliminated by the University of Notre Dame in the regional round.[11]

In his final season with UND in 2022–23, Kleven was suspended on January 14, 2023 for one game for a hit-to-the-head of an opponent.[12] He was automatically given a one-game suspension on February 11, after receiving his fourth game misconduct of the season in a game against the University of Denver.[13] During his college career, Kleven was suspended three times.[14] He finished the season with eight goals and 18 points in 35 games.[6] UND made to the NCHC Frozen Faceoff semifinals before losing to St. Cloud State University.[15] In his three years with the Fighting Hawks he was known for his shot from the point, marking 20 goals and 35 points in 95 games with UND.[16][17]

Professional

Kleven was selected 44th overall by the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Ottawa Senators in the second round of the 2020 NHL entry draft. He signed a three-year entry-level contract on March 23, 2023, with the Senators.[16] He previously played with Senators teammates Jake Sanderson, Shane Pinto and Jacob Bernard-Docker at UND.[18] An injury to Jakob Chychrun allowed Kleven to play in his first NHL game shortly after joining the team.[19] He made his NHL debut against the Philadelphia Flyers on March 30, 2023. Another injury to a defenseman during the game, this time Travis Hamonic, forced coach D. J. Smith to play Kleven more than he would have liked, but it allowed Kleven to notch his first NHL point, an assist on a Claude Giroux goal in the third. The Senators won the game 5–4.[20] He finished the season having played eight games registering two assists.[6][14]

Kleven attended Ottawa's 2023 training camp but was assigned to the team's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Belleville Senators, to start the 2023–24 season.[21] After injuries to Thomas Chabot and Erik Brännström, Kleven was recalled by Ottawa on October 28.[22] He appeared in five games, with one assist before being returned to Belleville on 19 November.[23] He was recalled on March 28, 2024, again replacing an injured Thomas Chabot.[24] Kleven appeared in four games with Ottawa before being returned to Belleville on April 5 after Chabot returned from injury.[25] He finished the season with one assist for a total of one point in nine games with Ottawa, and five goals and 21 points in 53 games for Belleville.[6] Belleville qualified for the playoffs for the second time in franchise history and faced the Toronto Marlies in the first round.[26] They advanced to the second round after knocking off the Marlies, facing the Cleveland Monsters. However, Belleville in turn was eliminated by Cleveland.[27] He also added one goal and two assists in Belleville's seven playoff games.[28]

For the 2024–25 season, Kleven made the Ottawa Senators out of training camp and was in the opening night roster.[29] He scored his first NHL goal against Mackenzie Blackwood on November 27 in a 4–3 win against the San Jose Sharks.[30] He finished the season with four goals and ten points in 79 games.[6] The Senators qualified for the playoffs, facing the Toronto Maple Leafs in the opening round. He made his NHL playoff debut on April 20 in Game 1 of the series.[31] In Game 2, Kleven recorded his first NHL playoff point, assisting on the Adam Gaudette's game-tying goal in the third period.[32] The Senators were eliminated in six games in their best-of-seven series.[33] In the series, Kleven tallied two assists.[6]

As a restricted free agent in the 2025 offseason, Kleven signed a two-year, $3.2M contract with the Senators. [34]

International play

Medal record
Representing  United States
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
2021 Canada

Kleven played for Team USA at the IIHF World Junior Championship in 2021 and 2022 and won gold in 2021.[35][36]

Following the end of the NHL season, Kleven joined the Team USA at the 2023 IIHF World Championship.[37] The team finished fourth in the tournament.[38]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2017–18 Fargo Davies High USHS 27 9 7 16 54 — — — — —
2018–19 U.S. National Development Team USHL 31 2 1 3 45 2 0 0 0 19
2019–20 U.S. National Development Team USHL 17 0 2 2 37 — — — — —
2020–21 University of North Dakota NCHC 22 5 2 7 37 — — — — —
2021–22 University of North Dakota NCHC 38 7 3 10 93 — — — — —
2022–23 University of North Dakota NCHC 35 8 10 18 84 — — — — —
2022–23 Ottawa Senators NHL 8 0 2 2 2 — — — — —
2023–24 Belleville Senators AHL 53 5 16 21 51 7 1 2 3 6
2023–24 Ottawa Senators NHL 9 0 1 1 2 — — — — —
2024–25 Ottawa Senators NHL 79 4 6 10 27 6 0 2 2 6
NHL totals 96 4 9 13 31 6 0 2 2 6

International

Year Team Event GP G A Pts PIM
2018 United States U17 5 0 0 0 16
2021 United States WJC 2 0 1 1 0
2022 United States WJC 5 0 0 0 0
2023 United States WC 7 0 0 0 2
Junior totals 12 0 1 1 16
Senior totals 7 0 0 0 2

References

  1. ^ "Tyler Kleven Stats and News". National Hockey League. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  2. ^ Childerhose, Evan (January 1, 2025). "From Fargo to Full Time in the NHL: Tyler Kleven's Breakthrough Year". Faces. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  3. ^ Olsen, Becky (March 5, 2019). "Tyler Kleven Follows Father's Example into Hockey". USA Hockey. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  4. ^ Mendes, Ian (December 27, 2021). "Senators prospect Tyler Kleven's journey from backyard rink to Team USA: 'He deserves all the credit'". The Athletic. The New York Times. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  5. ^ "Tyler Kleven added to 2023 U.S. Men's National Team Roster". USA Hockey. May 14, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g "Tyler Kleven". Hockeydb.com. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  7. ^ Horgan, Candace (March 16, 2021). "NCHC: Wild third period gives North Dakota come-from-behind victory, first NCHC championship; first team to capture regular and postseason NCHC titles". USCHO. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
  8. ^ "Minnesota Duluth wins epic NCAA hockey game over North Dakota in five overtimes". The Minnesota Star Tribune. March 28, 2021. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
  9. ^ "Julie and Spencer Penrose Memorial Cup". National Collegiate Hockey Conference. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
  10. ^ "Western Michigan holds off UND, 4-2, in NCHC Frozen Faceoff Semifinal". North Dakota Fighting Hawks. March 18, 2022. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
  11. ^ Schlossman, Brad Elliott (March 24, 2022). "GameCenter final: Notre Dame 2, UND 1, OT". Grand Forks Herald. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
  12. ^ Schlossman, Brad Elliott (January 14, 2023). "NCHC suspends Tyler Kleven for series finale against Western Michigan". Grand Forks Herald. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
  13. ^ Schlossman, Brad Elliott (February 11, 2023). "Denver takes advantage of two major power plays to beat UND in series finale". Grand Forks Herald. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
  14. ^ a b Maguire, Pat (June 5, 2023). "First Impressions: Could Tyler Kleven Land a Full-Time NHL Job in Ottawa This Fall?". The Hockey News. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  15. ^ "UND's season ends in 3-2 overtime loss to No. 7 St. Cloud State". North Dakota Fighting Hawks. March 17, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
  16. ^ a b Scanlan, Wayne (March 23, 2023). "Newly-signed Senators D Tyler Kleven could be a big hit in Ottawa". Sportsnet. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  17. ^ Schlossman, Brad Elliott (March 25, 2023). "Ottawa planning to use Tyler Kleven in the NHL this season". Grand Forks Herald. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  18. ^ Hanna, Claire (March 24, 2023). "Kleven excited to take first skate with Sens". TSN. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  19. ^ Garrioch, Bruce (March 26, 2023). "Snapshots: Expect Senators defenceman Tyler Kleven to make his NHL debut this week". Ottawa Sun. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  20. ^ Schlossman, Brad Elliott (March 30, 2023). "Tyler Kleven tallies an assist in NHL debut". Grand Forks Herald. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  21. ^ "Ottawa Senators assign five players to Belleville". Belleville Senators. October 2, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  22. ^ "Senators recall Tyler Kleven, Nikolas Matinpalo, place Thomas Chabot on LTIR". Sportsnet. October 28, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  23. ^ "Senators' Tyler Kleven: Heads to AHL". CBS Sports. November 19, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  24. ^ Warne, Steve (March 28, 2024). "Ottawa Senators Callup Tyler Kleven: "I Think That My Presence of Being Physical is Needed on This Team"". The Hockey News. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  25. ^ "Senators' Tyler Kleven: Sent to AHL". CBS Sports. April 5, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  26. ^ "Senators to face Marlies in first round of playoffs". The Belleville Intelligencer. April 22, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
  27. ^ Warne, Steve (May 10, 2024). "Season Comes to an End for AHL Belleville, Ottawa Senators Top Farm Club". The Hockey News. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
  28. ^ Nichols, Graeme (September 4, 2024). "Ottawa Senators Rookie Likely to Be Handed a Huge Responsibility This Season". The Hockey News. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  29. ^ "NHL announces opening night rosters for 2024-25 season". NHL.com. National Hockey League. October 8, 2024. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  30. ^ Adams, Alex (November 28, 2024). "Sens' Stutzle, Norris show Sharks what they missed out on". Sportsnet. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  31. ^ Warne, Steve (April 20, 2025). "Ottawa Senators Fall 6-2 In Toronto in First Playoff Game In 8 Years: What Went Wrong?". The Hockey News. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  32. ^ McCarthy, Dave (April 23, 2025). "Domi scores in OT, Maple Leafs defeat Senators in Game 2". NHL.com. National Hockey League. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
  33. ^ "Nylander scores twice as Maple Leafs eliminate Senators to advance to second round". TSN. The Canadian Press. May 1, 2025. Retrieved January 2, 2026.
  34. ^ "Kleven looks to take step forward with Sens after signing new contract". TSN. June 3, 2025. Retrieved November 24, 2025.
  35. ^ "Team USA claims gold at World Junior Championship with win over Canada". Sportsnet. The Canadian Press. January 5, 2021. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  36. ^ Schlossman, Brad Elliott (August 10, 2022). "Tyler Kleven, Team USA open World Juniors with dominant victory". Grand Forks Herald. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  37. ^ Schlossman, Brad Elliott (May 14, 2023). "Tyler Kleven added to U.S. Men's World Championship roster". Grand Forks Herald. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  38. ^ "2023 Men's Worlds Insider: Record-Breaking Success, But Heartbreak In The End". Team USA. May 28, 2023. Retrieved June 10, 2023.

Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database

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