Nate Clurman Bio
Nathaniel Hart Clurman, known professionally as Nate Clurman, is an American professional ice hockey defenseman. He currently plays for the Laval Rocket of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 6 ft 2 in tall and weighing 205 lb, Clurman shoots right-handed and is recognized for a steady, defense-first approach. He was selected 161st overall by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2016 NHL entry draft and has continued to climb through the professional ranks since turning pro in 2021.
A late-round pick who has outpaced his draft slot, Clurman has built his career on patience, positional reliability, and a willingness to take a developmental path through junior, college, and minor professional hockey. He previously represented the Pittsburgh Penguins organization before signing with the Montreal Canadiens in July 2025.
Early Life and Background
Nathaniel Hart Clurman was born on May 8, 1998, in Boulder, Colorado, USA. Growing up in Colorado, a state with a strong youth hockey tradition, Clurman was introduced to the sport at a young age and developed within a competitive regional pipeline. His hometown proximity to NHL organizations helped shape his early understanding of the professional game.
Clurman attended the Culver Military Academy, a respected preparatory school in Indiana known for both academics and athletics. There, he played high school hockey and continued to refine his game as a defenseman. The structured environment at Culver gave him a foundation in discipline and team play that would later define his professional reputation.
Path to Hockey
Following his time at Culver, Clurman advanced to the United States Hockey League (USHL), the top junior circuit in the United States. He suited up for three USHL franchises during his development: the Tri-City Storm, the Des Moines Buccaneers, and the Sioux City Musketeers. This circuit gave him exposure to high-tempo competition and helped him mature into an NHL draft prospect.
His performances in the USHL caught the attention of NHL scouts, and in 2016 the Colorado Avalanche selected him in the sixth round, 161st overall, of the NHL entry draft. Coming out of that draft, Clurman committed to play collegiate hockey at the University of Notre Dame, beginning in 2018. Over his three seasons with the Fighting Irish, he tallied seven points in 27 games and served as team captain during his junior year, helping Notre Dame reach the NCAA Tournament for the fifth consecutive season.
Nate Clurman Career
Early Career (2021–2024)
After completing his college career in April 2021, Clurman signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Colorado Avalanche, the organization that had originally drafted him. He transitioned to the professional ranks, working primarily as a depth defenseman within the Avalanche system. His early professional years were focused on adjusting to the pace and physicality of the AHL, where he continued to build the defensive habits that had defined his game at Notre Dame.
Clurman spent his initial pro seasons developing within Colorado’s pipeline, refining his defensive-zone coverage and penalty-killing responsibilities. While he did not appear in NHL games during this stretch, his steady progression kept him firmly within the organization’s plans as a reliable, right-shot defenseman.
NHL Breakthrough (2024–2025)
On July 1, 2024, Clurman signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins as an unrestricted free agent. He joined the Penguins organization and continued his work at the AHL level while pushing for an opportunity at the top level. That opportunity arrived during the 2024–25 season on December 29, 2024, when he made his NHL debut with the Pittsburgh Penguins in a regular-season game against the New York Islanders.
The debut marked the culmination of years of patient development, from late-round draft pick to NHL appearance. Although his time on the Penguins’ roster was brief, the call-up confirmed that Clurman had reached the highest level of professional hockey.
Montreal Canadiens Era (2025–Present)
Following his stint in Pittsburgh, Clurman became a free agent and, on July 1, 2025, agreed to a one-year, two-way contract with the Montreal Canadiens for the 2025–26 season. The deal keeps him affiliated with the Laval Rocket, Montreal’s AHL affiliate, while keeping the door open for NHL duty with the parent club.
The move to one of hockey’s most storied franchises represents a new chapter for the 27-year-old defenseman. Working within Montreal’s system, Clurman continues to provide organizational depth on the blue line and remains a steady, right-handed option for the Canadiens’ defensive pipeline.
Driving Style and Strengths
Clurman is valued for his positional discipline, calm puck movement, and willingness to block shots and anchor the penalty kill. He is a defense-first blueliner who plays a simple, effective game, limiting high-danger chances against while supporting breakouts with controlled, headman passes. His right-handed shot adds balance to any defensive pairing he joins.
Notable Events and Milestones
Clurman’s most significant career milestone came on December 29, 2024, when he made his NHL debut for the Pittsburgh Penguins against the New York Islanders. Earlier highlights include serving as captain at Notre Dame, helping the Irish reach five consecutive NCAA Tournaments, and his original selection by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2016 NHL Draft.
Nate Clurman Career Wins
As a defenseman whose professional profile is built on reliability rather than offensive production, Clurman’s career arc has emphasized steady development and milestone achievements over win totals. His most celebrated moments have come in the form of career firsts, including his NHL debut.
NCAA and Junior Highlights
During his time at Notre Dame, Clurman tallied seven points across 27 games and captained the team in his junior year while helping the Irish reach the NCAA Tournament for the fifth straight season. In the USHL, he represented three organizations (Tri-City Storm, Des Moines Buccaneers, and Sioux City Musketeers), gaining the broad developmental experience that helped him reach the NHL.
Professional Highlights
Clurman’s professional highlights include signing his first NHL contract with the Colorado Avalanche in 2021, making his NHL debut with the Pittsburgh Penguins in December 2024, and joining the Montreal Canadiens organization in July 2025. He continues to contribute at the AHL level with the Laval Rocket while remaining under NHL contract.
Nate Clurman Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Nate Clurman was born and raised in Boulder, Colorado, a region with deep hockey roots that helped spark his early interest in the sport. He developed his game in Colorado before pursuing elite junior opportunities through the USHL and ultimately collegiate hockey at Notre Dame.
Personal Life
Clurman maintains a low public profile away from the rink, and details about his personal relationships are not publicly available. He continues his professional career with the Laval Rocket and Montreal Canadiens organization during the 2025–26 season.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025–26 campaign marks Clurman’s first season within the Montreal Canadiens organization after signing a one-year, two-way contract on July 1, 2025. He is expected to play a key role with the Laval Rocket in the AHL while remaining on call for NHL duty with the parent club in Montreal. The two-way deal provides both player and organization with flexibility as the Canadiens evaluate their depth on the right side of the defense.
Coming off his NHL debut with Pittsburgh in December 2024, Clurman enters this season with momentum and a clearer sense of what is required to compete at the top level. His experience within two NHL organizations (Colorado, where he was drafted, and Pittsburgh, where he debuted) gives him a mature perspective as he works to earn further NHL opportunities in Montreal.
With Montreal’s AHL affiliate providing a strong developmental environment, Clurman’s outlook for 2025–26 centers on continued growth, stronger two-way play, and the possibility of additional NHL appearances. His combination of size, right-handed shot, and defensive reliability makes him a logical candidate to be among the next defensemen called up by the Canadiens should the need arise.