Hunter McKown

{{Infobox ice hockey player

| name = Hunter McKown

| image =

| caption =

| image_size =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2002|8|18}}

| birth_place = San Jose, California, U.S.

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 1

| weight_lb = 205

| position = Center

| shoots = Right

| team = Columbus Blue Jackets

| league = NHL

| prospect_team = Cleveland Monsters

| prospect_league = AHL

| former_teams =

| draft = Undrafted

| ntl_team =

| career_start = 2023

| career_end =

}}

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).

Playing career

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).{{cite web| url = https://twitter.com/CCHockeyNews/status/1198310921246035968 | title = Hunter McKown commits to CC Tigers | publisher = Twitter | author = CCHockeyNews | date = November 24, 2019 | accessdate = November 24, 2019}}

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 {{NHL Year|2022}} season on March 20, 2023.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/blue-jackets-sign-c-hunter-mckown-to-three-year-entry-level-contract/c-342482958 | title = Blue Jackets sign C Hunter McKown to three-year, entry-level contract | publisher = Columbus Blue Jackets | date = March 20, 2023 | accessdate = March 20, 2023 }} He made his NHL debut with the Blue Jackets, recording an assist for his first point in an 5–4 overtime victory over the New York Islanders on March 24, 2023.{{cite web| url = https://www.espn.com/nhl/game/_/gameId/401459738 | title = Jenner's OT goal lifts Blue Jackets over Islanders | publisher = ESPN | date = March 24, 2023 | accessdate = March 24, 2023}}