Columbus Blue Jackets sign Hunter McKown to three-year, entry-level contract
Columbus Blue Jackets General Manager and Alternate Governor Jarmo Kekalainen announced Monday that they have signed center Hunter McKown to a three-year entry-level contract. He is expected to join the team in Columbus this week.
NEWS: #CBJ has signed C Hunter McKown to a three-year, entry level contract. McKown, 20, is expected to join the team in Columbus this week.
He had 21 goals, tied for seventh in college hockey, this year at Colorado College and was on the US World https://t.co/ME1S5i1nxf… https://t.co/cawimLQoLA
McKown plays for Colorado College in the NCAA’s National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC). He tallied a team-leading 21 goals and seven assists this season in 38 games; he also led the NCAA with 14 powerplay goals and registered four-game points winning goals on 142 shots. In 96 career games over three seasons, he registered 36 goals and 55 points to go with 75 penalty minutes. McKown served as an alternate captain and was an honourable mention for the All-NCHC selection. He notched double-digit goals and 20-plus points in his last two seasons with Colorado College.
“We are very excited to welcome Hunter to the Blue Jackets family,” said Kekalainen. “He is a big, skilled center who is a powerful skater and possesses an elite shot, and we believe he has a chance to be a very productive player as he continues to develop. He was a highly sought-after college free agent and we are thrilled to have him join our club and embark on his professional career with the Blue Jackets.”
The San Jose California product spent two seasons with the United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP) totalling 20 points in 82 games over two seasons. He also represented the United States at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championships picking up one assist in four contests.