Penguins Sign North Dakota Defenseman Jake Livanavage

The undrafted college standout will join Pittsburgh's prospect pipeline.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 3:34pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a hockey defenseman in motion, with their body and the puck broken down into overlapping geometric shapes and planes in vibrant navy, gold, and white colors, conveying the speed and intensity of the sport.An abstract illustration captures the dynamic movements and strategic positioning of a skilled college hockey defenseman as he transitions the puck up the ice.Phoenix Today

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed undrafted free agent defenseman Jake Livanavage from the University of North Dakota. Livanavage, a 5-foot-10, 185-pound blue liner from Phoenix, Arizona, was recently ranked as one of the top college/European free agents by The Athletic after a standout career with the Fighting Hawks.

Why it matters

The Penguins are looking to bolster their defensive prospect pool, which currently lacks depth beyond a few longshot or long-term projects. Livanavage's strong two-way game and high hockey IQ could make him a potential fit for Pittsburgh's system as they aim to continue their playoff contention.

The details

Livanavage put up at least 25 points in all three seasons at North Dakota, finishing his college career with 14 goals and 82 points in 117 games. He earned All-American honors as a sophomore and was a finalist for both the NCHC's Offensive Defenseman of the Year and Defensive Defenseman of the Year awards this past season. Despite his smaller stature, Livanavage was UND's most-used player, averaging over 24 minutes per game.

  • Livanavage's junior season at North Dakota just concluded.
  • The Penguins clinched a playoff berth earlier this season.

The players

Jake Livanavage

A 5-foot-10, 185-pound undrafted free agent defenseman from the University of North Dakota, where he was a standout two-way player and recently earned All-American and all-conference honors.

Pittsburgh Penguins

The NHL team that has signed Livanavage to join their prospect pipeline, looking to bolster their defensive depth.

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What’s next

Livanavage will now join the Penguins organization and look to earn an NHL contract, likely starting in the AHL with their Wilkes-Barre/Scranton affiliate.

The takeaway

The Penguins continue to scour the college ranks for undrafted gems, hoping to uncover a diamond in the rough like they have with players such as Conor Sheary and Zach Aston-Reese in the past. Livanavage's strong two-way game and high hockey IQ could make him an intriguing prospect to watch develop in Pittsburgh's system.