Tivey commits to Quinnipiac

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

Nate Tivey will be playing south of the border next season.

The Saint John Sea Dogs announced Monday that Tivey has committed to the NCAA's Quinnipiac Bobcats for the 2025-26 season. The defensemen just completed his overage season with the Sea Dogs.

This is the first time the Sea Dogs have formally announced an NCAA commitment since the rule change in the fall.

“I am super excited to be able to play hockey at Quinnipiac University," Tivey said in a team news release. "Playing Division 1 hockey in the United States has been a goal of mine for a very long time. To be able to play hockey at such a high level while getting an education from a great school is very special and I couldn’t be more honoured.”

Quinnipiac is regularly one of the top programs in college hockey. The team, which plays in the ECAC conference with schools like Harvard and Cornell, has been to three Frozen Fours since 2013 and won the national championship in 2023.

The Bobcats have already secured commitments from Halifax Mooseheads defenseman Brady Schultz and Moncton Wildcats forward Markus Vidicek. Tivey, Schultz and Vidicek are/were all captains this season.

Tivey captained the Sea Dogs in the second half following the Eriks Mateiko trade. The 21-year-old posted five goals and 35 assists in 63 regular season games.

Tivey played in 192 career games with the Sea Dogs over three seasons, recording 11 goals and 81 assists.