Just two years ago, the NHL Draft was held at The Sphere in Las Vegas, and every team passed on defenseman Jake Livanavage. Today, the hockey world is no longer overlooking him.

Multiple sources confirm the University of North Dakota standout is expected to sign a free-agent NHL contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins imminently. For the Penguins, who have three regular-season games remaining, adding a promising young defenseman could be a key move as they look to bolster their blue line for the future.

Livanavage's journey to this point is a classic story of perseverance. Arriving at UND as an undrafted free agent from Phoenix, the 5-foot-10, 185-pound defenseman made a major impact. He was a model of offensive consistency, recording at least 25 points in each of his three collegiate seasons, finishing his career with 14 goals and 82 points in 117 games—a performance that earned him All-American honors as a sophomore.

His value was never more evident than this past season, where he was UND's most-used player, averaging over 24 minutes per game. His all-around excellence made him a rare finalist for both the NCHC's Offensive Defenseman of the Year and Defensive Defenseman of the Year awards, culminating in a first-team all-conference selection.

Livanavage also gained valuable international experience, helping the U.S. Collegiate Selects to a second-place finish at the prestigious Spengler Cup in Switzerland this past December. His expected departure marks a significant loss for UND, which will now see two of its top defensemen move on to the professional ranks.