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What to watch for in the World Junior quarter finals

By Jack Baines

SECAUCUS, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 06: With the third pick of the 2020 NHL Draft, Tim Stuetzle of Mannheim of Germany is selected by the Ottawa Senators at the NHL Network Studio on October 06, 2020 in Secaucus, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
SECAUCUS, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 06: With the third pick of the 2020 NHL Draft, Tim Stuetzle of Mannheim of Germany is selected by the Ottawa Senators at the NHL Network Studio on October 06, 2020 in Secaucus, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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PLYMOUTH, MI – DECEMBER 12: Tyler Kleven #43 and Drew Commesso #35 of the U.S. Nationals follows the play against the Switzerland Nationals during day-2 of game two of the 2018 Under-17 Four Nations Tournament at USA Hockey Arena on December 12, 2018, in Plymouth, Michigan. USA defeated Switzerland 3-1. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)
PLYMOUTH, MI – DECEMBER 12: Tyler Kleven #43 and Drew Commesso #35 of the U.S. Nationals follows the play against the Switzerland Nationals during day-2 of game two of the 2018 Under-17 Four Nations Tournament at USA Hockey Arena on December 12, 2018, in Plymouth, Michigan. USA defeated Switzerland 3-1. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) /

Tyler Kleven, United States

Tournament so far: 2 games, 0 goals, 1 assist, 0 PIM, +3

Quarter Final Game: vs. Slovakia, 10:30 pm EST

What to watch for: Will he get mean?

A second-round pick in 2020, Kleven looks like the type of player Sanderson projected as before his offensive break-out: a solid defender who will provide little help in the offensive zone. Kleven, though, has a mean-streak that his teammate with the national team, North Dakota, and hopefully Ottawa, don’t. Kleven put up 152 PIM in 72 games with the United States Development Program over two seasons, and projects as a top-end bruiser in the NHL if his other skills allow him to get there.

There’s a debate to be had over how valuable that skill would be, but it’s clear that Ottawa sees value in it as they traded up to pick him 44th overall. Kleven has only gotten into 2 games with at the World Juniors so far, so there’s no guarantee he’ll even see the ice against the Slovaks, but if he does, it should be an opportunity to get an idea just how punishing he can be.

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