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KIJHL alumni getting NHL interest

by esequeira

 

Kootenay International Junior Hockey League alumni Jake Livingstone and Clay Stevenson are getting NHL attention for their play this season.

Stevenson, who played for the 100 Mile House Wranglers, had his season with the Darmouth Big Green end after they lost a best-of-three series to the RPI Engineers. After winning the first game 3-2, in which Stevenson made 26 saves, he made 53 saves in Games 2 and 3 combined, giving up seven goals in those losses.

On March 7, the sophomore goalie was named a finalist for the ECAC Hockey Ken Dryden Goaltender of the Year Award, announced by the league.

Stevenson had a stellar first season with the Big Green, starting all 15 ECAC Hockey games that he played in. He finished with 456 saves while allowing 35 goals for a .929 save percentage and a goals against average of 2.39. Stevenson earned his first career shutout with a 37-save performance in a 2-0 win over Yale on February 12. He received his first weekly honour when he was named the ECAC Hockey MAC Goaltending Goalie of the Week on February 14. The winner will be announced by ECAC Hockey on Tuesday, March 15.

Recently, dailyfaceoff.com’s Chris Peters wrote that Stevenson is a college player to watch for.

“He did not play last season with Ivy League teams shut down, and Dartmouth is the weakest team in ECAC this season, but Stevenson has held them in a lot of games this year,” wrote Peters. “Two years ago, he was BCHL goalie of the year with the Coquitlam Express. As the Nation Network’s own David Quadrelli wrote, Stevenson has been through an awful lot in the last few years but continues to play at an especially high level. I think that NHL interest will remain beyond this season if Stevenson decides to return to school.”

As for Livingstone, who played for his hometown Creston Valley Thunder Cats, he is third on Peter’s list. Peter’s wrote that Livingstone is a big, mobile right-shot defenseman who is having a fantastic season and is one of the top blueliners on the Minnesota State Mavericks, the nation’s No. 1 team. 

“Livingstone is just a sophomore but already 22. While he can return to school, there is enough interest out there that I think he’ll consider the right offer,” said Peters. “Livingstone has a good shot, moves pucks well, and I think his skating is a strength. Minnesota State always seems to have enticing-looking defensemen as UFAs and it’s been a bit of a mixed bag in terms of how they work out. Livingstone has a lot of tools and has shown the offensive capability to be worth a long look.”

In 38 games, Livingstone has nine goals and 19 assists for 28 points, ranking him sixth on the team. Of his nine goals, five have come on the power-play and three are game-winners. Livingstone is also fourth on his team in blocked shots with 31.

Chris Faber reported on his Twitter about Livingstone.