When the NHL Draft get under way, Roger McQueen will be a top prospect on many teams’ radars. At 6-foot-5, McQueen presents himself as a power forward that scouts can’t ignore. His path to being drafted hasn’t been easy; it’s a story defined by grit, injury setbacks, and an unshakable belief in his own game.
Childhood and the Western Hockey League
Born in Saskatchewan, Canada, McQueen started skating on a river rink at the age of two and playing hockey at the age of four.
At 15, McQueen signed with the Brandon Wheat Kings in the Western Hockey League, fulfilling a dream rooted in family legacy: “I’ve grown up always wanting to be like my dad and play in those leagues,” McQueen told the Brandon Sun in 2021.
In the WHL, McQueen dominated with skillful puck moving, smart positioning, and a fearless presence in front of the net. He skates with deceptive speed for his size and has become known for his playmaking under pressure.
Injury Setbacks
During the latest WHL season, McQueen suffered a back injury that limited him to just 17 regular season games. As the 2025 draft looms, that injury has left some scouts cautious.
One analyst described him as a “High risk, high reward” pick for this draft. The injury has raised questions, but McQueen’s talent has never been in doubt.
Turning Point: Putting Injury Behind Him
McQueen didn’t let his injury define him. He focused on rest and recovery and was able to fully participate in the fitness testing at the NHL Scouting Combine at HarborCenter.
He kept a positive attitude about his return from injury. "Being able to come here and have that back issue past me now, it's so nice to have that in my past," McQueen said. "I think I came a long way this year with that. So I think just having that in the past and being able to come here and compete with my buddies is awesome." (
