How a Hometown Hockey Star Is Shaping the Future—One Skate at a Time
In the world of sports, it’s easy to get caught up in wins, stats, and the spotlight. But sometimes, the most impactful moments happen far away from the arenas and cameras—on the ice with a group of local kids, led by someone who hasn’t forgotten where he came from.
For my family, that someone is Tyler Kleven.
A Hometown Hero
Tyler grew up right here in Fargo, skating for Davies High School before moving on to one of the most storied college hockey programs in the nation—the University of North Dakota. Around here, UND hockey holds a place of reverence, much like SEC football does in the South. So when Tyler made the leap from college hockey to the NHL, signing with the Ottawa Senators, he became more than just a pro athlete—he became a role model.
But what makes Tyler truly stand out isn’t just his talent on the ice. It’s his character, generosity, and commitment to giving back.
The Power of Showing Up
After his junior year at UND, Tyler returned to Fargo and reached out through a local connection—Amber, the mother of one of my sons’ teammates. He wanted to know if any kids would want to skate with him.
Spoiler alert: they did.
We paid for the ice, and Tyler volunteered his time—running drills, encouraging, laughing, and sharing stories with a group of star-struck 10-year-olds. He made it fun, competitive, and inspiring. And although I had told my twin sons many of the same lessons countless times, when Tyler said them, they listened.
A Tradition That Stuck
The next summer, fresh off a season that saw him splitting time between the AHL and NHL, Tyler was back again—offering his time without hesitation. One skate turned into a weekly event. My sons worked harder in those sessions than I’d ever seen, motivated by someone who had walked their same path.
And even as Tyler became a full-time NHL defenseman with the Senators, he still found moments to come back and skate with the kids. Now older, my boys (13 and 14) still hang on his every word.
Not Just a Coach—A Role Model
Tyler Kleven doesn’t just run drills—he brings joy and mentorship. He’s surprised the kids with signed gear, ran fun skill competitions, and made sure they understood that being great means more than just talent. It means humility, effort, and a willingness to give back.
As a father and as a physical therapist who deeply values building strong, resilient communities, I’m incredibly grateful for what Tyler represents. He’s a shining example of what it means to stay grounded while reaching great heights.
Looking Ahead
Although we didn’t get the opportunity to support Tyler's recovery this past offseason, I hope the future brings a chance to collaborate. I’d be honored for our clinic to play a role in his performance or recovery journey when he’s back in town again.
For now, I just want to say thank you—to Tyler—for being the kind of athlete who makes just as much of an impact off the ice as on it. Fargo’s young athletes are better for it. And as a dad, I couldn’t be more grateful.