Hunter McKown (born August 18, 2002) is an American professional ice hockey forward for the Cleveland Monsters in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Hunter McKown
Born (2002-08-18) August 18, 2002 (age 21)
San Jose, California, U.S.
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
Position Center
Shoots Right
NHL team (P)
Cur. team
Columbus Blue Jackets
Cleveland Monsters (AHL)
NHL draft Undrafted
Playing career 2023–present

Playing career edit

McKown played as a junior with the San Jose Jr. Sharks before moving to play with the St. Louis AAA Blues in the T1EHL. In continuing his development, McKown joined the U.S. National Team Development Program and played in the United States Hockey League (USHL) for two years. McKown committed to play collegiate hockey with Colorado College in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC).[1]

McKown served as an alternate captain for the Tigers in his junior season in 2022–23, finishing with a team leading 21 goals and 28 points. Using his size McKown led the NCAA in power play goals and was an honorable mention All-NCHC selection.

As an undrafted free agent, McKown concluded his collegiate career and was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets and immediately joined the roster to close out the 2022–23 season on March 20, 2023.[2] He made his NHL debut with the Blue Jackets, recording an assist for his first point, in a 5–4 overtime victory over the New York Islanders on March 24, 2023.[3]

Career statistics edit

Regular season and playoffs edit

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2017–18 St. Louis AAA Blues T1EHL 33 10 15 25 38
2018–19 U.S. National Development Team USHL 27 2 4 6 26 2 0 0 0 2
2019–20 U.S. National Development Team USHL 16 1 2 3 14
2020–21 Colorado College NCHC 23 2 4 6 16
2021–22 Colorado College NCHC 35 13 8 21 29
2022–23 Colorado College NCHC 38 21 7 28 30
2022–23 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 12 0 2 2 8
NHL totals 12 0 2 2 8

International edit

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2022 United States WJC 5th 4 0 1 1 0
Junior totals 4 0 1 1 0

Awards and honours edit

Award Year
College
NCHC All-Tournament Team 2023
NCHC Honorable Mention All-Star Team 2023

References edit

  1. ^ CCHockeyNews (November 24, 2019). "Hunter McKown commits to CC Tigers". Twitter. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
  2. ^ "Blue Jackets sign C Hunter McKown to three-year, entry-level contract". Columbus Blue Jackets. March 20, 2023. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  3. ^ "Jenner's OT goal lifts Blue Jackets over Islanders". ESPN. March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.

External links edit