Tyler Kleven has all the raw tools to be a solid defenceman in the pros. But will it be in Ottawa or Belleville?

To say that the Ottawa Senators have taken a liking to the work being done by the University of North Dakota hockey program would be an understatement.

None of the former UND players in Ottawa or developing in their system was drafted from the Fighting Hawks directly. However, all enjoyed a minimum of two seasons under NoDak coach Brad Berry’s tutelage.

The most recent to graduate from the program and join the fold was Tyler Kleven, the #44 overall selection in the 2020 draft. At 6’4” and 200 pounds, the hope is that Kleven can add a physical presence and box out bigger forwards. His three suspensions and seven major penalties in his final two seasons of NCAA action suggest he is more than willing to try. 

Kleven's development since being drafted has been steady with two years representing Team USA at the World Junior Hockey Championships. The first year was a learning experience where he only dressed for two games. The following year, he was more of a mainstay. 

What may have come as a pleasant surprise to the Senators is the offensive flair Kleven seems to have developed since being chosen. In three seasons with the Fighting Hawks, he had 20 goals and 35 assists. He also collected 214 penalty minutes. 

This feeling was further amplified by the eight-game, late-season NHL sample after he signed his entry level deal in March. 

Kleven was even added to the Team USA World Championship roster mid-tournament last month.

"Impressive skating, size, and shot." Sens head coach D.J. Smith said back in March after his first viewing of Kleven. "Now, obviously, we know, the NHL is a lot – the details and the things that come with it. But the raw package itself is impressive. Just the size and the skating to go with it. We all know there are growing pains that come with it, but he looks like he has all the physical attributes of a hockey player for sure."

The question is, in a season where it’s playoffs or bust, should the Senators have a kid with just eight games of NHL experience on their blue line? Unless the Senators re-sign Travis Hamonic or dip their toes in the free agent pool or trade market, there is a chance Kleven could be in the NHL lineup on opening night.

Is that a good thing? It’s easy to get enamoured with prospects based on small sample sizes. But ideally, all of a team’s prospects, short of the can’t-miss variety, would follow the AHL development curve. 

When you look at the physical profiles of the defensemen on the final four teams in the NHL playoffs, those in the bottom pairs are typically north of six feet and 200 pounds. Size is essential to boxing out bigger forwards who like to wreak havoc in front of the net. Kleven fits that mold perfectly.

The only questions about Tyler Kleven appear to be when he will make the NHL full time and how high up in the rotation he will get?

PROSPECT RATING: A-