The Blue Jackets announced Monday that they signed Colorado College center Hunter McKown to a three-year entry-level contract from 2022-23 to 2024-25.
#CBJ sign Colorado College C Hunter McKown (38 GP: 21-728 in 2022-23) to a three-year ELC beginning in 2022-23. Hes expected to join the team in Columbus this week.
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) March 20, 2023
In 35 games, McKown posted 21-7--28 including an NCAA-leading 14 power-play goals this year as a junior while being an alternate captain, earning an All-NCHC (National Collegiate Hockey Conference) honorable mention. In 96 games over three years at Colorado College, the 20-year-old San Jose, California, native registered 36-19--55.
"We are very excited to welcome Hunter to the Blue Jackets family," Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said. "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."
Oh my!
— The NCHC (@TheNCHC) December 10, 2022
McKown with the #NCHCTopPlay to tie it for @CCTigerHKY
: @ATTSportsNetRM // https://t.co/ZyUdpPaF0J #NCHChockey // #CCTigers pic.twitter.com/JRm19HvG4N
Before his college career, McKown played two seasons with the United States National Team Development Program from 2018-19 to 2019-20, recording 8-21--29 in 125 regular-season games and posting two PIMs in two playoff games. He also played for Team USA at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championships, posting an assist in four games.
He is expected to join the club in Columbus this week.
