COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Freshman defenseman Jake Livanavage was named to the NCHC All-Rookie Team, as announced by the league office on Tuesday afternoon. The blue liner is one of six representatives on the team, nearly earning unanimous honors with 14 out of 15 first place votes.
Livanavage was among the top-scoring defensemen in the NCHC, racking up 18 points in 24 conference games to rank second behind fellow all-rookie member Zeev Buium of Denver among freshman blueliners and fifth among all NCHC D-men. He tallied two goals and dished out 16 assists, which tied for sixth among all NCHC skaters in conference play and second among rookies. Livanavage has 25 points overall this season in 36 games, including 22 assists to tie for ninth among all NCHC players. He has won a trio of NCHC weekly awards this season, including Defenseman of the Week twice, and was the NCHC January Rookie of the Month.
On the season, Livanavage has appeared in all 36 games this season with three goals and 22 assists for 25 points. The Phoenix, Ariz., native has potted 22 points over the final 24 contests and his second for the most points by a UND rookie defenseman since 1999-00.
Voting was conducted by the eight head coaches at each institution and eight media members, one covering each member school. Coaches and media voted for six forwards, four defensemen and two goaltenders, awarding first-team votes for six players (three forwards, two defensemen and one goaltender) and second team votes for the other six selections. Three points were awarded for a first team vote while one point was awarded for a second-team vote, with the most points at each position earning the honors. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own players, making 15 first-place votes (45 points) the maximum a player can receive.
The NCHC will announce its All-Conference Teams on Wednesday and its individual award finalists on Thursday. Individual award winners will be announced at the annual NCHC Awards Celebration in Saint Paul, Minn. on Thursday, March 21 on the eve of the 2024 NCHC Frozen Faceoff.
2023-2024 NCHC All-Rookie Team
F: Miko Matikka, Denver – 45 points (15 first-team votes) – unanimous
F: Alex Bump, Western Michigan – 43 (14)
F: Tanner Ludtke, Omaha – 32 (9)
D: Zeev Buium, Denver – 45 (15) – unanimous
D: Jake Livanavage, North Dakota – 43 (14)
G: Isak Posch, St. Cloud State – 33 (9)
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