McKown, 20, registered 36 goals and 19 assists for 55 points with 75 penalty minutes and 250 shots on goal in 96 career games over three seasons at Colorado College (National Collegiate Hockey Conference) from 2020-23. He notched double-digit goals and 20-plus points in each of his final two campaigns.
"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 native served as an alternate captain for the Tigers during his junior season in 2022-23, finishing with 21-7-28, 30 PIM, 14 power play goals, four game-winning goals and 142 shots in 38 contests. McKown led the NCAA in power play goals and ranked seventh-T in goals, while leading his team in goals, points, power play goals and game-winning goals and ranking third in penalty minutes. He was an honorable mention All-NCHC selection.
The 6-1, 205-pound center collected 13-8-21 with 29 penalty minutes and 85 shots in 35 games during his sophomore season in 2021-22 and registered 2-4-6 and 16 PIM in 35 outings as a freshman in 2020-21. Prior to Colorado College, he spent two seasons with the United States National Team Development Program from 2018-20. He also represented Team USA at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championships, collecting 0-1-1 in four contests.
