After winning the Memorial Cup in 1991 as a Spokane Chief, Klemm signed as a free agent with the Quebec Nordiques on May 14, 1991. Klemm spent the next four years predominantly with Nordiques affiliates, the Halifax Citadels and the Cornwall Aces of the AHL before the Nords relocated to become the Colorado Avalanche. Klemm played his first full season in the NHL in the Avalanche's inaugural season in 1995-96, helping the Avs win their first Stanley Cup. Klemm spent the next 5 seasons firmly entrenched in the Avalanche defense corps and helped the Avalanche to their second Stanley Cup victory in the 2000–01 season.
With 10 years served in the Quebec/Colorado franchise and ranking second in all-time games played by Avalanche defensemen, Klemm left as a free agent and signed with the Chicago Blackhawks on July 1, 2001.[1] Klemm was used in a larger role for the Blackhawks and played in a career high 82 games in the 2001–02 season, recording 20 points. In his third season with the rebuilding Blackhawks, Klemm was traded to the Dallas Stars for Stephane Robidas on November 17, 2003.[2]
After the 2004 NHL lockout, Klemm helped the Stars return to the playoffs for the 2005–06 season, before losing at the hands of former team, the Avalanche, in the Western Conference Quarterfinals. In the 2006–07 season, Klemm was re-signed by the Stars on a club option on June 28, 2006.[3] Klemm spent the majority of the season as a healthy reserve, however his final assist helped him reach a milestone 100 assists for his career. His assist coincidentally came on Mike Modano's milestone 500th goal in a 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on March 13, 2007.[4]
On August 20, 2007, Klemm signed for the Los Angeles Kings as a free agent.[5] However prior to the 2007–08 season, on September 28, 2007, he was assigned to the Kings' AHL affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs, where he served as captain.[6][7] In the 2008–09 season he played his final year of professional hockey in the German DEL for the Straubing Tigers.
On April 1, 2009 Klemm officially retired from the professional ranks. On May 26, 2009, Klemm returned to his junior team, the Spokane Chiefs, when he was named assistant coach for the 2009–10 season.[8]