GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Junior defenseman Tyler Kleven has signed a three-year, entry-level deal with the NHL’s Ottawa Senators, the club announced on Thursday. The defenseman will forgo his final two years of eligibility at North Dakota.
Kleven appeared in 95 games over his three-year career at North Dakota, finishing with 20 goals and 35 points. The Fargo, N.D., native had his best offensive season in 2022-23, leading all UND blue liners with eight goals and five on the man advantage.
The defenseman also had a knack for scoring big goals in his career, with eight of his 20 goals coming as game winners which tie him with Nick Fuher (2001-05) for the most all-time by a defenseman in program history.
Kleven will join three former UND teammates in the Ottawa organization — forward Shane Pinto, defenseman Jake Sanderson and defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker.
