Columbus Blue Jackets sign Max McCue to three-year entry-level contract

Columbus Blue Jackets President of Hockey Operations and Alternate Governor John Davidson announced today that the club has signed London Knights forward Max McCue to a three-year, entry-level contract.

The Sudbury, Ontario product was originally selected by the San Jose Sharks in the fifth round, 156th overall, at the 2021 NHL Draft.

McCue has notched 24 goals and 26 assists for 50 points in 52 games this season with the Knights. The 6-1, 183-pound forward has set career highs as well as leads the club in penalty minutes and game-winning goals and ranks fifth in goals.

He was the center of controversy back in December after a wild brawl with the Sarnia Sting that saw McCue get suspended indefinitely by the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Tensions started to rise after Sting forward Daylen Moses cross-checked Knights’ forward and Philadelphia prospect Denver Barkey in the face. McCue was ejected at 18:34 in the third period for abuse of an official, it’s unclear what was said but ultimately had to do with the cross-check to Barkey’s face. 

Prior to his suspension,  McCue had the longest active goal streak in the OHL which stood at nine games and 13 goals. The overager is now tied with Jared Knight and trailing only Patrick Kane who scored in 13 straight games in the 2006-07 campaign for the longest streak in that span.

The 21-year-old has registered 48 goals and 82 assists for 130 points with 234 penalty minutes, a +40 plus/minus rating and 261 shots on goal in 208 career games over five seasons with the Knights. He has added eight goals and four assists for 12 with 19 penalty minutes and a 10 plus/minus rating in 25 playoff games with the Knights.