Mutual interest between Canucks and NCAA free agent defenceman Jake Livingstone

There’s mutual interest between the Vancouver Canucks and NCAA free agent defenceman Jake Livingstone, CanucksArmy’s Chris Faber reported Wednesday.

During Wednesday’s episode of Canucks Conversation, Faber gave an update on Livingstone, who is considered by many to be this year’s top NCAA free agent.

Here’s what Faber had to say:

“The Canucks are one of the teams that have shown interest in Jake Livingstone and the Canucks are one of the teams that — I don’t want to call it a shortlist because I think there’s a lot of teams… From what I’ve heard, almost every single team is in on Jake Livingstone.

“There’s a lot of interest from the NHL about him. He’s 23 years old right now, he’s going to be 24 when he signs his ELC with a team if he signs at the start of April. The Canucks are one of the teams interested in him, and I think from what I’ve heard in conversations is the Canucks are also a team of interest to him.

“There are other teams as well…I’m not saying the Canucks are the front runner, but there is definitely mutual interest from his camp and from the Vancouver Canucks to make him a Vancouver Canuck.”

A right shot defenceman standing at 6’4, the 23-year-old Livingstone is from Creston, BC, and played his junior hockey in the BCHL with the Merritt Centennials and the Langley Rivermen before heading to Minnesota State University to continue his education and hockey career.

As Faber mentioned, plenty of teams are interested in signing Livingstone, and the Canucks are no exception. The interest is mutual, however, as the thought of playing for your “hometown” team is often an opportunity many players dream of.

Livingstone is smart defensively, has a solid shot, and according to Faber, he’s more than NHL ready, and will be able to step in and help whichever NHL team he chooses to sign with. And if that’s the Canucks, there’s a good chance he’s instantly slotted in on the first pairing alongside Quinn Hughes.

Livingstone will have plenty of NHL suitors and thus has a big decision to make come April.