Kyle Dubas has managed to land himself a top NCAA free agent available on the market as it was announced today that the Penguins have signed North Dokota defenseman Jake Livanavage to a two year entry level contract.
It also is interesting that Livanavage will possibly be set to make his NHL debut with the Penguins in one of their three remaining games left as he is set to report directly to Pittsburgh as part of signing his ELC.
Livanavage is an very smooth skater who is great at puck carrying, is offensively gifted in terms of o-zone production and game sense, he carries incredible awareness and tempo from the point. However also extremely slept on for his defensive game, mostly due to his size and frame.
Jake and Bake, baby!#UNDproud | #LGH pic.twitter.com/hL1aCd1Rkn
— North Dakota Hockey (@UNDmhockey) January 18, 2026
Livanavage spent the 2025-26 season playing at the collegiate level with the University of North Dakota, he recording five goals, 20 assists, 25 points and was plus-15 in 39 regular-season games with UND. His five goals and 25 points ranked just second among UND defenseman, and wore the alternate captain for North Dakota, he finished eighth overall on the team in scoring, helping UND reach the Frozen Four semi-finals before falling to Wisconsin on April 9, 2-1.
He received an NCCA (West) All American second team honour and has also won a USHL Clark Cup with the Chicago Steel.
Livanavage is really known for being a power-play specialist and has the ability to make players miss and have patient prowess at the blue-line.
Livanavage is also familiar with Penguins prospect Zam Plante who which he played with at the 2026 Spengler Cup as part of the US Collegiate Selects team.
He also spent one season with the U.S. National Team Development Program at the under-17 team level in the 2020-21 season.
Over his tenure with North Dokota, he played in 117 games from 2023 - 2026 and had 82 points over his three seasons with UND. He is tied for 17th in program history among all defenseman to ever wear the green, white and black.
Dubas somehow was able to convince another top prospect available to come play for the Pittsburgh Penguins and that also has to do with the Sidney Crosby effect.