Cooper Cleaves was selected by the Montreal Canadiens with the 93rd overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. A defenseman who played collegiate hockey at Dartmouth College, Cleaves was drafted during the fourth round of the event, which was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Professional Path and NHL Draft History
The Montreal Canadiens utilized the 93rd pick in the 2020 draft to acquire Cooper Cleaves, a native of New Haven, Connecticut. At the time of his selection, Cleaves was recognized for his physical presence on the blue line and his development within the United States Hockey League (USHL) before transitioning to the NCAA.
According to official NHL draft records, the 2020 draft class featured several notable prospects, with the Canadiens prioritizing defensive depth throughout the seven-round process. Cleaves’ selection represented the organization’s focus on long-term development for players coming out of the collegiate system.
Collegiate Career at Dartmouth
Before and after his draft selection, Cleaves competed for the Dartmouth Big Green in the ECAC Hockey conference. His tenure at the collegiate level was marked by the challenges of the 2020-2021 season, which saw widespread cancellations and schedule adjustments across Ivy League programs due to public health restrictions.
As noted in the Dartmouth Athletics roster archives, Cleaves served as a steadying force for the team’s defensive unit. His transition from junior hockey to the NCAA environment provided him with the necessary experience to compete against older, more physically developed players, a common trajectory for NHL-drafted prospects in the collegiate pipeline.
Why Draft Position Matters in the NHL
The 93rd overall pick falls into the middle-to-late rounds of the NHL draft, a territory where scouts often look for "project" players—athletes who possess the physical tools for professional play but require additional time to refine their tactical skills.
| Draft Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Year | 2020 |
| Round | 4 |
| Overall Pick | 93 |
| Team | Montreal Canadiens |
| Position | Defenseman |
Teams like the Montreal Canadiens use these selections to build organizational depth. While first-round picks are often expected to contribute at the NHL level quickly, players selected in the fourth round typically follow a slower developmental path, often spending several years in college or the minor leagues before contending for a permanent roster spot.
Current Status and Outlook
Since his selection, Cleaves has continued to navigate the professional development system. NHL teams maintain the rights to the players they draft for a specific period, allowing the organization to monitor progress and determine whether to sign the player to an entry-level contract. The Canadiens’ scouting department evaluates these prospects annually to determine if their performance at the collegiate level warrants a promotion to the professional ranks, either with the Montreal Canadiens or their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Laval Rocket.