The Anaheim Ducks are embracing the name of their first-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft — Saskatoon’s Roger McQueen.
After drafting the 6’5″ 18-year-old McQueen 10th overall, the team presented him with a jersey numbered 95 — a tribute to the beloved Disney character Lighting McQueen.
For his part, McQueen acknowledged their shared name by using the song Life Is A Highway, by Rascal Flatts, as he walked to the stage.
“His sisters Audrey and Cora thought that would be really cool,” McQueen’s father Scott said about the song choice Monday.
After the draft, McQueen was flown to Disneyland. It was a full-circle moment for the family, who visited the amusement park a couple days prior.
“We thought, like, holy crap, what if he gets drafted by Anaheim? And, you know, maybe we’ll get a lifetime pass to Disneyland,” Scott joked.
The hype surrounding McQueen’s last name seems to have only just begun. A TikTok video from the NHL of McQueen being picked for the Anaheim Ducks has already racked up over 1.4 million views.
Scott said he never expected the connection to Disney would be as big as it has, but “social media is crazy now and everything just fires up and then it just explodes.”
At the same time, he said all the attention comes with added pressure for McQueen as he steps into his new role on the Ducks.
“I think everybody kind of wants to fly under the radar and you know, and just play,” said Scott. “He wants to prove himself as a player and not so much, you know, as a Disney character.”
Scott found out his son was going to be drafted to the Ducks about “20 seconds” before his name was called. He said it was a very proud moment for the family.
“It’s hard to control your emotions,” said Scott. “We all played hockey as kids and it’s different when you’re a player than it is when you’re a parent. You know, seeing your kids accomplish something is quite emotional.”
McQueen has played four seasons with the Brandon Wheat Kings in the WHL. Last year, his season was cut short due to a fracture in his back, but he managed 10 goals and 10 assists.
He will officially join the Anaheim Ducks at development camp this fall and try to earn a spot on the roster.
“Now there’s a lot more work to do to actually play in the NHL,” McQueen said. “It’s kind of where the work starts.”
He said he’s excited about the franchise’s future.
“It’s such a good team to get drafted to,” McQueen told CBC on Sunday. “They’ve got such a good young core. And I mean all the coaching staff, and supporting staff and development staff that I met have been phenomenal.”
