minsta

Individual workout: Ottawa Senators defenseman Tyler Kleven takes off in full-time NHL role

Pabio November 1, 2024

Ottawa Senators defender Tyler Kleven has been knocking on the door of the NHL for some time now. In 2022-23, coming out of the University of North Dakota, Kleven played eight games in the NHL. Last season he played in nine.

On Friday night, when the Senators take on the Rangers in New York, Kleven has yet to miss a single game, reaching a career-high ten games in the show. After that, everything is a career high. It feels like the NHL’s training wheels are officially in motion, with no more fear of falling again… in Belleville.

“Yeah, I think it’s nice,” Kleven said. “Just being able to get close to the coaching staff and the guys has been really helpful. Working with the coaches every day off the ice and then being able to talk to them on the ice as well when we’re in games is a big help .

“And just knowing that if I make a mistake, I’m not going to get fired right away. I just have to continue to play my game and play good hockey, keep it simple and move the puck to the forwards’ hands. And I think that’s how I’m going to help the team win games and yeah, I’m grateful to be here.

Like Kleven, Senators head coach Travis Green spent a few years in the AHL as a player, trying to break through with the team. New York Islanders. So I asked Green about Kleven’s transition to full-time status and whether the confidence that comes with it makes you a better player.

It is,” Green said. “You know, trust is a funny thing. And when you have it, you feel like you can do anything. When you don’t, you feel like you can’t do anything at all. So, I think the biggest part I saw in (Kleven’s) game is he has an air of confidence about him. And a lot of people can tell you to have confidence in yourself, but it really comes from within. And that was the biggest change.”

Green feels like Kleven probably hasn’t had his best training camp, perhaps overthinking things a bit. But with each match, he sees improvement from Kleven in different areas.

Scroll to continue

“I think confidence is a big part of his progression. He seems to believe he belongs. He plays faster, harder, passes with more authority. Everything he does has more conviction and he is progressing well.”

Kleven sits near the veteran defender Travis Hamonic in the locker room. After practice, while I was setting up my recording equipment, Kleven was still brainstorming Hamonic on boxing techniques in front of the net. Everything you hear about Hamonic’s positive influence and mentorship is spot on. He’s almost like a second coach Travis helping bring North Dakota’s army of young defensemen from Ottawa.

“Yeah, he played 15 seasons and he’ll be the first to tell you that,” Kleven said. “But yeah, he has so much experience and he brings it and he shows it to us every day too. I know Sandy has learned a lot from him over the last couple of years and played a lot of matches with him.

“We work on stuff after practice and he’s always teaching me little things. He’s a great guy, and one of the funniest guys in the locker room for sure.”

Le-verdict

Le-verdict

Individual workout: Ottawa Senators defenseman Tyler Kleven takes off in full-time NHL role

LEAVE A RESPONSE Cancel reply

Pabio

Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 | Politics around “Shivaji” lingers like a shadow

Grant request to finance part of the Saint Lucia railway bridge refused

5 Things – Flames vs. Jets

Weather for October 27: Sunny and windy day in southern Ontario

Individual workout: Ottawa Senators defenseman Tyler Kleven takes off in full-time NHL role

LEAVE A RESPONSE Cancel reply

Pabio

You Might Also Like

Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 | Politics around “Shivaji” lingers like a shadow

Grant request to finance part of the Saint Lucia railway bridge refused

5 Things – Flames vs. Jets

Weather for October 27: Sunny and windy day in southern Ontario