Nate Clurman Bio
Nathaniel Hart Clurman is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who plays for the Laval Rocket of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). A late-round draft pick out of Colorado, Clurman has worked his way through the United States Hockey League, the NCAA ranks at Notre Dame, and short stints in the American Hockey League before reaching the NHL with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2024. He continues his professional career in the Canadiens organization, splitting time between the NHL roster and their top developmental affiliate.
Early Life and Background
Nathaniel Hart Clurman was born on May 8, 1998, in Boulder, Colorado, USA. Growing up in Colorado, he developed an early connection to a state with a deep hockey culture and a successful professional franchise in the Colorado Avalanche. The Colorado environment gave him a clear path into competitive youth hockey and shaped his understanding of the game from a young age.
Clurman pursued his high school hockey with the Culver Military Academy, a program known for producing disciplined and well-conditioned athletes. The structured environment at Culver helped him balance his academic development with the demands of junior-level hockey. By the time he finished his prep career, he had attracted enough attention to be considered for the NHL Draft as a high-profile amateur prospect.
Path to Hockey
Following his time at Culver, Clurman joined the United States Hockey League (USHL), the top junior league in the United States. During his USHL tenure he appeared with the Tri-City Storm, the Des Moines Buccaneers, and the Sioux City Musketeers, gaining exposure to varied systems and competition levels. That multi-team junior experience allowed him to refine his defensive game and increase his visibility among NHL scouts.
As his draft year approached, the Colorado Avalanche selected Clurman in the sixth round, 161st overall, at the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Being chosen by his home-state franchise was a meaningful milestone and a sign of long-term organizational belief in his upside. He then chose to continue his development at the collegiate level, committing to play hockey at Notre Dame beginning in 2018.
At Notre Dame, Clurman served as team captain in his junior year and helped the program reach its fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. Across his college career he tallied seven points in 27 games for the Fighting Irish, contributing in a steady, stay-at-home defensive role. His leadership and reliability at Notre Dame positioned him for a professional opportunity once his senior season ended.
Nate Clurman Career
Early Career (2021–2024)
In April 2021, Clurman concluded his collegiate career and signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Colorado Avalanche, the team that originally drafted him. The agreement marked his official transition from the NCAA ranks into professional hockey and placed him within a deep Avalanche defensive pipeline. He began his pro career developing with the Colorado organization, sharpening his defensive detail and adjusting to the pace of the professional game.
Through his entry-level deal, Clurman worked primarily within the Avalanche system and continued to build his two-way game as a right-shot defenseman. His size and steady approach made him a dependable depth option in the organization. By the end of his Avalanche contract, he had reached unrestricted free agent status and was ready to pursue a new opportunity.
NHL Debut and Pittsburgh Penguins Era (2024–2025)
On July 1, 2024, Clurman signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins as an unrestricted free agent. The two-way deal allowed him to move between the NHL roster and Pittsburgh’s AHL affiliate depending on need. He spent the early part of the 2024–25 season continuing to develop his professional profile within the Penguins organization.
During the 2024–25 season, on December 29, 2024, Clurman made his NHL debut with the Pittsburgh Penguins in a regular season game against the New York Islanders. The appearance represented the realization of years of work from the USHL, NCAA, and AHL levels. It was the first NHL game of his career and validated his long development path.
Montreal Canadiens and Laval Rocket Era (2025–Present)
Following the 2024–25 season, 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. Under that deal, he was assigned to the Laval Rocket, the Canadiens’ top AHL affiliate based in Laval, Quebec. The arrangement gives him an opportunity to play significant minutes in a top developmental league while remaining under NHL contract.
Listed at 188 cm (about 6 feet 2 inches) and 93 kg (around 205 pounds), Clurman brings an imposing frame to the blue line. His combination of size, skating, and defensive awareness fits the modern style of a bottom-pair, penalty-killing defenseman. As he continues his progression with the Laval Rocket, he remains a depth option for the Montreal Canadiens should injuries or performance create a need at the NHL level.
Driving Style and Strengths
Clurman is recognized for a defense-first approach built around positioning, physical play, and reliable gap control. His 6-foot-2 frame allows him to win board battles and clear the front of the net, while his skating enables smooth transitions out of the defensive zone. Coaches have valued his steady, low-mistake game and his willingness to embrace a role that prioritizes defensive responsibility.
Notable Events and Milestones
Clurman’s most notable milestone to date is his NHL debut with the Pittsburgh Penguins on December 29, 2024, against the New York Islanders. Being drafted 161st overall by his home-state Avalanche in 2016 and earning team captaincy at Notre Dame both stand out as defining steps in his hockey journey. His first NHL contract as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2024 and his subsequent move to the Montreal Canadiens organization in 2025 further highlight his steady climb through the professional ranks.
Nate Clurman Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Publicly available information on Clurman’s parents and family background is limited. What is known is that he grew up in Boulder, Colorado, a community that offered strong support for his early athletic development. His path from Boulder prep hockey to the USHL and Notre Dame reflects a family environment that valued both education and competitive sport.
Personal Life
Details about Clurman’s personal life, including marital status and children, are not publicly confirmed. He has kept his focus largely on his hockey career, moving between NHL organizations and the American Hockey League. Off the ice, he is recognized as a dedicated professional who continues to pursue a full-time NHL opportunity.
2025 Season Performance
Clurman’s 2025 storyline centers on his transition from the Pittsburgh Penguins organization to the Montreal Canadiens via a one-year, two-way contract signed on July 1, 2025. The deal places him with the Laval Rocket of the AHL, where he is expected to log significant minutes as a top-four or shutdown defenseman. The structure gives both Clurman and the Canadiens flexibility, as he can be called up to the NHL roster whenever needed.
The early portion of the 2025–26 campaign has allowed Clurman to settle into a consistent role with the Laval Rocket after an NHL debut the previous December. With his size and defensive reliability, he is well positioned to contribute on the penalty kill and in tight defensive-zone situations. Continued strong play in Laval could put him in line for additional NHL appearances with the Canadiens.
Looking ahead through the rest of 2025, Clurman’s outlook is one of steady progression rather than headline-grabbing offense. His combination of size, hockey sense, and professional approach makes him a candidate for expanded NHL duty if Montreal faces injuries on the blue line. The 2025–26 season is therefore a critical opportunity to prove he belongs at the NHL level on a more permanent basis.