Senators sign Tyler Kleven to entry-level deal

The Ottawa Senators agreed to a three-year, entry-level pact with defenseman Tyler Kleven, the club announced Thursday.

Kleven is expected to join the Senators on Friday. The 21-year-old posted eight goals and 10 assists over 35 games in his recently concluded junior season with North Dakota.

Ottawa drafted Kleven 44th overall in 2020. The Fargo-born blue-liner represented the United States at the World Junior Championship in 2021 and 2022, helping the Americans win gold alongside current Senators rearguard Jake Sanderson in the first of those two years.

Kleven produced 20 goals and 15 assists across 95 career college contests. He tied the Fighting Hawks' all-time record among defensemen with eight game-winning goals.

North Dakota didn't qualify for the NCAA Tournament this year. The school went 18-15-6 and lost 3-2 to St. Cloud State in the semifinals of the NCHC Frozen Faceoff tourney last Friday.