Jake Livingstone Bio
Jake Livingstone is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for the Charlotte Checkers in the American Hockey League (AHL). Born on April 16, 1999, in Creston, British Columbia, Livingstone developed his craft through the Canadian junior hockey system and emerged as a top defensive prospect during his collegiate career. After an accomplished tenure at Minnesota State University and a stint with the Nashville Predators organization, he joined the Charlotte Checkers in 2025. Livingstone shoots right, stands 191 centimeters tall, and plays physical, two-way hockey from the blue line.
Livingstone entered the professional ranks as an undrafted defenceman following his college career at Minnesota State, where he earned a reputation as one of the most consistent blueliners in college hockey. He signed with the Nashville Predators in March 2023, made his NHL debut the following month, and spent two seasons within the Predators organization before moving on in 2025. Livingstone brings offensive instincts and defensive reliability to every game, and his progression through multiple leagues reflects a steady and determined approach to the sport.
Early Life and Background
Jake Livingstone was born on April 16, 1999, in Creston, a small community in British Columbia, Canada. Growing up in British Columbia, he was immersed in a hockey culture that has produced generations of elite Canadian players. Livingstone developed his right-shot defenceman skills in the local youth and minor hockey systems of the region before advancing to more competitive levels of junior competition.
His early development as a defenceman combined physical presence with offensive instincts, traits that would become hallmarks of his collegiate game. Livingstone committed to playing NCAA Division I hockey at Minnesota State University, choosing the Mavericks program as his pathway to professional hockey. This decision placed him in one of the most respected mid-major programs in college hockey, known for developing NHL-ready talent.
Path to Ice Hockey
Livingstone began his collegiate career for Minnesota State during the 2020-21 season. During his freshman season he recorded four goals and ten assists in 28 games for the Mavericks and was named to the All-WCHA Rookie Team and CHN National All-Rookie Team. His immediate impact as a freshman demonstrated that he belonged at the highest level of amateur hockey.
During the 2021-22 season, in his sophomore season, he recorded nine goals and 22 assists in 44 games. His 31 points led the CCHA in defenceman scoring. Following the season he was named to the All-CCHA First Team and was named the CCHA Defenseman of the Year. On September 10, 2022, he was named an alternate captain for the 2022-23 season. During his junior year he recorded eight goals and 27 assists in 39 games. His 27 assists led the team, while his 35 points ranked second on the team. During the regular season, he led all CCHA defenceman in assists, and points. Following an outstanding season he was named to the CCHA First Team and was named the CCHA Defenseman of the Year for the second consecutive season. He was also named an AHCA West Second Team All-American, the 12th Maverick player to be named an All-American since the school transitioned to NCAA Division I. He finished his career at Minnesota State with 21 goals and 59 assists in 111 games. During his time with the Mavericks, the team won three MacNaughton Cups, two Mason Cups, qualified for three NCAA tournaments, two Frozen Fours, and advanced to the national championship game once.
Jake Livingstone Career
Early Career (2020-2023)
Livingstone began his college career at Minnesota State in the 2020-21 season, immediately establishing himself as a top defensive contributor. His freshman campaign produced four goals and ten assists in 28 games, earning All-WCHA Rookie Team and CHN National All-Rookie Team honors. The Mavericks were a strong program during his tenure, capturing multiple conference championships and reaching the national championship game during his junior season.
His sophomore year marked a significant step forward, with nine goals and 22 assists in 44 games that led all CCHA defencemen in scoring. The following season as an alternate captain, Livingstone posted eight goals and 27 assists in 39 games, again leading the conference in defensive production. He earned AHCA West Second Team All-American honors, a distinction held by only eleven other Mavericks in the school’s Division I era.
Nashville Predators Breakthrough (2023)
On March 29, 2023, the Nashville Predators signed Livingstone to a one-year, entry-level contract following his conclusion at Minnesota State. The signing represented a significant validation of his three-year collegiate career and provided him an opportunity to test his game at the NHL level. Livingstone made his NHL debut for the Predators on April 6, 2023, in a game against the Carolina Hurricanes.
At the conclusion of the season, Livingstone, as a pending restricted free agent, agreed to a two-year, two-way contract extension with the Predators on June 27, 2023. The extension demonstrated the organization’s confidence in his development and provided stability as he continued transitioning to professional hockey. Livingstone’s combination of size, mobility, and offensive production from the blue line made him a valuable prospect within the Predators system.
Charlotte Checkers Era (2025-Present)
The Predators would not re-sign Livingstone following the 2024-25 AHL season, making him a free agent. Un-signed approaching the 2025-26 season, Livingstone signed a professional tryout with the Pittsburgh Penguins on September 17, 2025. After his release from the Penguins, Livingstone was signed to a one-year AHL contract with the Charlotte Checkers, affiliate to the Florida Panthers, on October 11, 2025.
Playing Style and Strengths
At 6 feet 3 inches and 205 pounds, Livingstone brings physical presence to the blue line alongside offensive capability. His college production as a defenceman — leading the CCHA in scoring from the back end in multiple seasons — reflects a craft that extends beyond traditional defensive responsibilities. Livingstone’s game emphasizes puck movement, zone exits, and offensive activation from the rear, qualities that translated effectively to his entry-level opportunity with the Predators.
Notable Events and Milestones
Livingstone achieved consecutive CCHA Defenseman of the Year honors in 2022 and 2023, becoming one of the most decorated blueliners in recent conference history. He reached the Frozen Four twice and advanced to the NCAA national championship game once during his time at Minnesota State. Being named an AHCA West Second Team All-American placed him among an elite group of college players recognized nationally for their on-ice excellence.
Jake Livingstone Career Wins
Jake Livingstone has established himself as a consistent and productive defenceman across college and professional hockey, compiling a record of offensive and defensive achievement at multiple levels. His college career at Minnesota State delivered the most statistically supported body of work, while his professional career has added NHL experience and continued development within the AHL.
Minnesota State University Highlights
At the college level, Livingstone finished his career at Minnesota State with 21 goals and 59 assists in 111 games. His 2021-22 season as a sophomore produced a conference-leading 31 points from the blue line, while his 2022-23 junior campaign yielded a team-high 27 assists and second-ranked 35 total points. Livingstone earned CCHA First Team honors and the CCHA Defenseman of the Year award in both the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons. He was also named an AHCA West Second Team All-American in 2023, becoming the 12th Maverick to earn All-American status since the school’s transition to NCAA Division I.
Other Wins and Performances
During his time with the Nashville Predators organization, Livingstone gained valuable NHL experience, appearing in regular-season games following his debut on April 6, 2023, against the Carolina Hurricanes. He compiled 14 goals and 35 assists for 49 points over 85 AHL games with the Predators before moving to the Charlotte Checkers in 2025.
| League | GP | G | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCAA | 111 | 21 | 59 | 80 |
| AHL | 85 | 14 | 35 | 49 |
Jake Livingstone Family
Family Background
Jake Livingstone was born and raised in Creston, British Columbia, Canada. Details regarding his family background and immediate relatives are not publicly documented in available sources. He developed his hockey skills within the British Columbia amateur hockey system, which provided the foundation for his eventual path to NCAA Division I competition and professional hockey.
Personal Life
Livingstone maintains a private personal life, and no public information regarding a spouse or children is available. His focus has remained on his hockey career, which has spanned multiple leagues and organizations across North America since he began playing professionally in 2023.
2025 Season Performance
Jake Livingstone entered the 2025-26 season as an unrestricted free agent following the Nashville Predators’ decision not to re-sign him after the previous season. After attending Pittsburgh Penguins training camp on a professional tryout basis in September, he was released and quickly found an AHL opportunity with the Charlotte Checkers, signing a one-year contract in mid-October. The move to Charlotte places him within the Florida Panthers development system as an affiliate player for the 2025-26 campaign.
Livingstone brings AHL and NHL experience to the Charlotte Checkers blue line, providing the team with a right-shot defenceman capable of contributing offensively and defensively. His college production and professional experience make him a steady presence for the Checkers, who will look to leverage his all-around game throughout the season. Livingstone’s signing adds veteran depth and offensive upside to Charlotte’s defensive corps as the 2025-26 season unfolds.