7/1/25: Roger McQueen's Journey, Summer Circuit Tips, Epic T-Ball Celebrations

👏 The Journey: Roger McQueen’s Difficult Road to the NHL Draft

Overcoming Injury on the Path to Stardom

[LINK] Roger McQueen was once seen as a can’t-miss prospect. With hockey bloodlines (his father, Scott, played in the WHL) and elite size (6’5”) and skill, McQueen has all the tools to be a future NHL star.

But a serious back injury limited him to 17 games in the WHL last season and he carried a giant question mark with him into last week’s NHL Draft. But McQueen continued to work hard in his rehab, carried a positive attitude and made a positive impression on NHL teams.

"I think I came a long way this year with [my back injury],” said McQueen. “So I think just having that in the past and being able to come here and compete with my buddies is awesome."

Like many sports stories, this one had a Hollywood ending. McQueen was drafted by the Anaheim Ducks with the 10th overall pick. The number he chose? No. 95, of course, the same digits as the animated race car Lightning McQueen.

💡Clear Communication, Expectations, Keys to Navigating Circuit

College Basketball Analyst Seth Davis' Advice

[LINK] With the summer live period in full swing, tournaments and showcases in all sports take center stage throughout July. What should athletes and parents expect and how can they navigate this vast and complex landscape?

To answer those questions, Youth Inc. sat down with college basketball broadcaster and our life skills ambassador Seth Davis, who has covered the summer circuit for three decades.

“I think it’s important to have clear communication and clear expectations,” said Davis. “Your son or daughter has to play in games in front of coaches to get scholarships. If that’s not going to happen, you have to know that. It’s not fair to ambush a coach and ask why they are not playing your kid more when that coach is trying to win games. 

“I also encourage a high level of communication with college coaches. There are restrictions about how they can reach out to you, but it’s perfectly legal no matter how young your kid is, to reach out to college coaches and take unofficial visits. Put everything on the table and cut the cards.”

🤣 Epic T-Ball Celebrations that Stole the Show

These Young Ballplayers are Guaranteed to Make You Laugh

[LINK] What’s more pure than T-Ball? Young kids experiencing the joy of baseball and feeling the excitement of making contact with the ball and putting it in play. 

For many kids, that excitement quickly turns into celebration. Youth Inc.’s Ellie Kriebel compiled some of the best – and funniest – reactions to getting a hit.

From a T-Rex trot to a cartwheel to doing the griddy on the way to first, these celebrations will have you rolling.

YOUTH INCRECOMMENDS

1

The Journey: Khaman Maluach’s Unthinkable Ascent

 Mikey Fowler

The Myth of the Multi-Sport Athlete

Asia Mape

Five Resources on the Different Levels of College Lacrosse

 Youth Inc. Team

WE'VE GOT YOUR NUMBER

$73M

The prize purse for Wimbledon, which began this week, a new tournament record. 

“This historic expansion is a powerful reflection of our league's extraordinary momentum, and the surging demand for investment in women's professional basketball."

- WNBA Commissioner Kathy Engelbert after announcing the league's expansion to Cleveland, Philadelphia, and Detroit