North Dakota junior defenseman Jake Livanavage has signed a two-year, entry-level NHL deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The contract will begin in the current 2025-26 campaign and runs through the 2026-27 season. Livanavage will report to Pittsburgh and is expected to make his NHL debut in the near future.

In three seasons at North Dakota, Livanavage appeared in 117 games and accumulated 82 points (14 goals, 68 assists). He was a finalist for both the NCHC Offensive and Defensive Defenseman of the Year this season, becoming the first player in program history to earn the distinction.

The Gilbert native is a two-time All-NCHC First Team selection and also earned his second straight CCM/AHCA All-American honor Friday evening.

Livanavage’s 82 career points are the third-most by a UND defenseman since the turn of the century and his 0.70 points-per-game average sits tied for 17th in program history among blueliners at NoDak.

Back home, Livanavage played for the Arizona Hockey Union, DYHA, Jr. Coyotes, and Arizona Bobcats.

Photo/Russell Hons

— North Dakota Athletics Staff

(April 10, 2026)