NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Junior defenseman Nate Clurman signed a two-year entry-level contract, the Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today (April 5). He was originally selected by Colorado in the sixth round (161st overall) in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. He will report to the American Hockey League’s Colorado Eagles.
Clurman, who served as Notre Dame’s team captain this past season as a junior, skated in 27 games in 2020-21, while scoring a career-high four goals and adding three assists for seven points. His four goals ranked third among Irish defenseman and he also finished with a team-high 10 penalties on the season (31 minutes). He notched his first career goal in Notre Dame’s 3-2 win at fourth-ranked Michigan on Nov. 27.
The Boulder, Colorado native played in 103 career games over three seasons, scoring four goals and adding 15 assists for 19 points. The Irish reached the NCAA Tournament in two of his three seasons and Notre Dame captured the 2019 Big Ten Tournament Championship during his freshman campaign.
Clurman joins an Avalanche organization that features former Irish players T.J. Tynan (Colorado Avalanche/Colorado Eagles), Dennis Gilbert (Colorado Avalanche/Colorado Eagles) and Cal Burke (Colorado Eagles).
Additionally, current junior defenseman Nick Leivermann (seventh round, 187th overall in 2017) and current freshman forward Ryder Rolston (fifth round, 139th overall in 2020) were also selected by Colorado in the NHL Entry Draft.
Clurman is the second Fighting Irish player to ink an NHL deal since the season ended, joining Alex Steeves who signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs (March 28).
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