He was selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the second round (50th overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft but has spent his entire professional career with the Carolina organization after being acquired in a trade on Feb. 25, 2015. McKeown served as captain of the Charlotte Checkers in 2019-20 and helped the club win its first Calder Cup as American Hockey League champions in 2018-19. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound blueliner has produced 84 points (16g/68a) and a +61 rating in 271 career AHL contests and had totaled eight points (1g/7a) with a +7 rating in 23 total postseason outings, all with Charlotte.
The Listowel, Ontario, native has appeared in 10 career NHL contests with Carolina, all during the 2017-18 season, recording three points (0g/3a).
Prior to turning pro, McKeown played for the Kingston Frontenacs in the Ontario Hockey League from 2012-16, collecting 146 points (32g/114a) in 247 career contests. He was named to the OHL All-Rookie Team for the 2012-13 campaign and served as team captain in his final two seasons (2014-16). McKeown helped the Frontenacs to the postseason in each of his four years with the club, totaling 17 points (4g/13a) in 24 career OHL playoff games. He was named to the OHL Third All-Star Team in his final year in 2015-16.
Internationally, McKeown has helped Canada capture gold at the 2013 IIHF Under-18 World Championship, finishing with one point (0g/1a) in seven games. He captained the Under-18 team to a bronze medal the following year and also represented his country at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship, appearing in five contests and pacing Team Canada with a +4 rating.
