With the 10th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, the Anaheim Ducks have selected Roger McQueen, a center from the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League (WHL). The draft, held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, saw former stars of "The Mighty Ducks" films, Joshua Jackson (Charlie Conway) and Marguerite Moreau (Connie Moreau), announce the Ducks' first-round pick.
McQueen, born on October 2, 2006, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, is a towering presence on the ice, standing at 6'5" and weighing around 190 pounds. The 18-year-old right-handed shooter is considered a top prospect, with many scouting agencies ranking him within the top 10. Elite Prospects.com ranked him as high as 5th, while NHL Central Scouting placed him 8th among North American skaters.
McQueen's journey to the NHL Draft hasn't been without its challenges. After being selected fourth overall by the Brandon Wheat Kings in the 2021 Prospects Draft, he has since starred for the team. During the 2023-24 season, McQueen recorded 21 goals and 30 assists in 53 games. However, a back injury, specifically a fracture in his lumbar spine, L-4, L-5, hampered his 2024-25 season, limiting him to just 17 regular-season games. Despite the setback, he managed to score 10 goals and 10 assists in those limited appearances. McQueen also represented Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in 2023, where he won a gold medal and recorded four goals and three assists in five games. He was also selected for the 2024 IIHF World U18 Championships, winning another gold medal despite his injury.
Scouting reports paint a picture of a highly skilled player with a unique blend of size and finesse. McQueen's strengths lie in his puck movement, shooting ability, and net-front presence. He possesses a "cannon shot" with great accuracy and can generate power effectively. His large frame and long reach make him difficult to contain, and he excels in tight spaces, using his hands and stickhandling to maneuver through traffic. He also demonstrates strong hockey IQ and vision, making accurate passes and creating scoring opportunities for his teammates.
"Roger McQueen's game is extremely well-rounded," notes McKeen's Hockey. "He has a very active motor and patrols the ice with confidence, daring opponents to enter the range of his long reach, which he uses to swipe at pucks, forcing play to the outside".
Despite his impressive skillset, scouts have identified areas for improvement. McQueen's skating, while good for his size, could be more efficient, particularly his edgework and acceleration. Some scouts also believe he could utilize his physicality more consistently.
Anaheim Ducks General Manager Pat Verbeek is in his fourth season overseeing the team's hockey operations. Verbeek, who was named the sixth general manager in Ducks history on February 3, 2022, has focused on building for the future by acquiring assets and developing young talent. Verbeek's past experience includes roles as assistant general manager for the Detroit Red Wings and the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he helped build foundational pieces of their Stanley Cup-winning teams.
With the selection of Roger McQueen, the Anaheim Ducks add a promising prospect with the potential to become a dominant force in the NHL. McQueen's combination of size, skill, and hockey sense makes him an intriguing player with a high ceiling. While his injury history raises some concerns, his talent and determination could make him a cornerstone for the Ducks' future.
