Thanks to the 74 readers who submitted ballots in this year’s ranking of Columbus Blue Jackets players and prospects under the age of 25. Over the next month, we will profile the Top 25.

#25 Hunter McKown

Voting

25th out of 42 eligible players
Writer Rank: Not ranked
Reader Rank: 23rd
Highest Placement: 9th (1 vote)
Most Common Placement: 22nd, 23rd, and 25th (4 votes each)
2023 Rank: 22nd (change: -3)

Biography

Birthdate: August 18, 2002
Birthplace: San Jose, California
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 205 lbs
Position: Center
Shoots: Right
Acquired: Signed as an undrafted free agent on March 20, 2023

2023-24 Season

McKown made a good first impression immediately upon turning pro late in the 2022-23 season. He recorded just 2 assists in 12 games at the end of the NHL season, but he showed a pro-ready confidence and his comfort level grew with each game.

Last season, he spent the entire time in the AHL with the Cleveland Monsters. In 53 games, he scored 9 goals and 15 assists. It’s a dip from the 21/7/28 he put up in 38 games in his last season at Colorado College, but it’s an OK start for a 21 year old facing a lot of older players.

In the Calder Cup playoffs, McKown had 2 goals and 2 assists in 11 games, but didn’t play in the final three games of the Eastern Conference Finals against Hershey.

2024-25 Outlook

Like the other prospects, McKown has a second chance to make a first impression with a new GM and head coach in Columbus. Expect him to spend most of his time in Cleveland again, but with a number of Monsters and bottom-of-the-roster Jackets traded or allowed to leave this summer, he has the chance to get bigger minutes in Cleveland and a chance to be called up to Columbus in case of injuries.

Highlights

In Game 2 of the North Division Finals against Syracuse, McKown earned 2 points in the first period, including a go-ahead goal that would be the game winner.