Chicago Steel acquire Jake Livanavage
Chicago Steel has announced that they have signed Phoenix Jr. Coyotes defenseman Jake Livanavage to a USHL tender agreement for the 2020-2021 season. The 5-foot-8, 141-pound blueliner had totaled 13 points (7G, 6A) in 16 games played for the U15 Jr. Coyotes. Livanavage is Gilber, Ariz, native. He appeared six times with the U16 club this season.
Steel General Manager Ryan Hardy was delighted to sign the amazing youngster. He said, “He is a player with a high level of hockey sense, competitiveness, and skill to go along with tremendous skating ability. “We were extremely impressed with the upward trajectory of his development over the course of the season and feel he is just beginning to scratch the surface of his potential as a player.”
Livanavage will turn 16 on May 6. He is the half brother of former Steel forward Johnny Walker who was a member of the 2016-17 Clark Cup Champion team. Walker recently completed his junior season at Arizona State University where he had an amazing season as he ranked second on the team with 38 points (20G, 18A) in 36 games played.
“I’m excited to be in Chicago and for the opportunity they have given me,” said Livanavage. “I’m going to try to help build on the success they have already had.” The USHL, now in its ninth year, allows teams to sign up to two 2004 birth year players prior to the 2020 USHL Phase I Draft. The 2020 USHL Phase I Draft is scheduled to take place in May.
Livanavage is only the third player to be tendered by the Steel having signed forward Robert Mastrosimone on April 17, 2017, and defenseman Ryan Ufko on April 17, 2019. Livanavage’s signing will take the place of Chicago’s first-round pick in the 2020 USHL Phase I Draft. If the Steel tender a second player, that player will take the place of a second-round selection in the USHL Phase I Draft.
