Penguins sign Jake Livanavage to entry-level contract
An exceptional prospect on the blue line has signed his first NHL contract.
On Friday, Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas announced that the team has signed defenseman Jake Livanavage to a two-year, entry-level contract. The deal begins immediately, with the 21-year-old reporting to Pittsburgh.
The Penguins have signed NCAA free agent defenseman Jake Livanavage to a two-year, Entry-Level Contract. Details: pens.pe/3PSLXPD
The signing comes less than 24 hours after Livanavage and the North Dakota Fighting Hawks were eliminated from the NCAA Men’s Hockey Tournament, as the team was eliminated in the Frozen Four semifinals by the upstart Wisconsin Badgers.
It might not have been the result that Livanavage wanted to end his collegiate career, but it hasn’t taken away from an impressive career in Grand Forks and an exceptional senior season.
In 2025-26, the Gilbert, Ariz. native equaled his career-high in goals (5), while notching 20 assists for 25 points, helping power one of the nation’s top and deepest offenses. Livanavage was named an All-NCHC First-Team All-Star for the second year in a row and helped North Dakota win the NCHC regular-season title.
Livanavage managed to reach 25 points in each of his three seasons with the Fighting Hawks. In 117 appearances, he scored 14 goals and 68 assists for 82 points.
On top of his college career, Livanavage had the chance to represent NCAA hockey at the Spengler Cup this past December. With the U.S. Collegiate Selects team, he posted an assist in four games, helping the team reach the championship game, where it ultimately lost to host HC Davos.
Livanavage went undrafted, really honing his craft with the Fighting Hawks and Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League. An offensive blueliner with excellent vision, he can develop into a solid two-way rearguard thanks to his solid footwork and awareness.