Jake Livanavage has made history at the University of North Dakota (UND) by being named to the first team of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) for a second consecutive year. This recognition makes him only the second player in UND history to achieve this honor, joining Jordan Kawaguchi, who accomplished the feat in the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons.
Recognition and Achievements
The NCHC recently announced its all-conference teams, highlighting Livanavage’s impressive performance this season. In addition to his first-team selection, he is also a finalist for both the Offensive Defenseman of the Year and Defensive Defenseman of the Year awards, which will be revealed on Friday.
Coach Insights
UND coach Dane Jackson praised Livanavage’s development, noting his elite skating and puck-moving abilities. Jackson emphasized how Livanavage has grown defensively, effectively defending against top opposing players while excelling in penalty kills. He highlighted Livanavage’s intelligence and body positioning, which have improved significantly over his career.
Noteworthy Statistics
This season, Livanavage has contributed five goals and a total of 25 points in 35 games, leading the Fighting Hawks in ice time. His contributions have been pivotal to the team’s performance in the NCHC.
Other All-Conference Selections
Alongside Livanavage, his teammate Jan Špunar also received first-team honors and was recognized as the NCHC’s Goaltender of the Year. Other first-team selections included:
- Max Plante, Minnesota Duluth
- Tyson Gross, St. Cloud State
- Cruz Lucius, Arizona State
- Eric Pohlkamp, Denver
UND had additional recognition with two players on the second team: senior forward Ben Strinden and junior defenseman Abram Wiebe. Strinden finished the season with 15 goals and 33 points over 34 games, while Wiebe recorded five goals and 27 points in 35 games this season.
Summary of 2025-26 All-NCHC Teams
| Team | Player | Position |
|---|---|---|
| First Team | Max Plante | F |
| First Team | Tyson Gross | F |
| First Team | Cruz Lucius | F |
| First Team | Jake Livanavage | D |
| First Team | Eric Pohlkamp | D |
| First Team | Jan Špunar | G |
| Second Team | Ben Strinden | F |
| Second Team | Abram Wiebe | D |
| Third Team | Ellis Rickwood | F |
Jake Livanavage’s achievements highlight his critical role in the Fighting Hawks’ success and showcase his talent within the NCHC framework.
