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.
