Former Creston Valley Thunder Cat Jake Livingstone is having an excellent sophomore season with the Minnesota State Mankato Mavericks in the NCAA’s Central Collegiate Hockey Association.
On Jan. 20, 2022, the Mavericks picked up a 5-1 win at St. Thomas with Livingstone collecting a goal and an assist. On msumavericks.com, it was reported that “Livingstone’s cannonading drive from the left circle with Minnesota State on the power play at 17:29 made it a 5-1 game.”
That brings his totals to eight goals and 23 points in 28 games ranking him sixth in points on the Mavericks.
On Jan. 12, Livingstone was interviewed by Sportsnet 650s Jason Brough and Mike Halford on their podcast and talked to the Mavericks defenceman about the team and his hockey future. You can listen to the interview below.
Canucks Army writer Chris Faber mentioned Livingstone in a Dec. 29, 2021 article about 6 College Free Agents for Jim Rutherford and the Canucks to target. Faber writes there is a bit of a different situation as Livingstone is only a sophomore with the No.2 ranked Mavericks.
“Jake Livingstone is beginning to turn heads, and if he returns to school, he should definitely be at Canucks’ development camp this offseason,” writes Faber. “Livingstone is a local kid who was born in Creston, B.C. and played four years with the Langley Rivermen in the BCHL.”
The Canucks Army writer adds that Livingstone has size (6-3, 204-pounds), physicality, skill and a shot that often finds the back of the net. He is a top-scoring defence prospect who loves to shoot the puck and is at his best when on the man advantage. He is also used on the penalty kill and uses his size and long reach to disrupt passing lanes.
Faber added when attacking. Livingstone’s skating looks fine, but there are some weaknesses in his game when it comes to defending the rush. The Canucks Army writer feels a contract could see Livingstone develop in the American Hockey League with the Abbotsford Canucks.
Last season we wrote about Livingstone, who talked about the adjustments he was making to college hockey after scoring his first career goal on Nov. 22.
His transition to NCAA hockey was a challenge because the athletes are bigger and stronger. The college game is played at a quicker pace, but Livingstone benefited from a delayed start because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I got a little time to get used to that pace. It was kind of nice to transition,” says Livingstone. “I got to go into a game as prepared as possible.”
