The Anaheim Ducks sign 1st-round pick to ATO

Wednesday, April 01, 2026


 

The Anaheim Ducks rebuild is going swimmingly, as the team has signed its first-round pick from the 2025 NHL Draft, Roger McQueen. 

It was announced today by the Ducks that McQueen will be joining the AHL's San Diego Gulls on an amateur tryout. 

There's been no word of an entry-level contract in the waiting for the former tenth overall pick, but the 19-year-old could prove to be the top-five pick he was meant to be with some seasoning in the minor leagues until he's fully developed. 

This season, as Providence's top-line center, he scored 27 points (11-16) in 36 games.

General Manager Pat Verbeek was excited to bring the prospect into the fold: 

"It is exciting to welcome Roger to our organization to play professional hockey after a strong freshman season at Providence,” said Ducks General Manager Pat Verbeek. “Roger will gain valuable experience playing additional games in San Diego, which will be an important step in his development."

McQueen arrives in Anaheim with a full season of collegiate hockey behind him, earning Hockey East Rookie of the Year honors and being named to the All-Rookie team for his stellar production in 36 games with the Providence College Friars. 

Ready To Fly High in Anaheim?

 The Ducks prospect's star has been rising over his career, ending with a total of 86 points (35-51) in 127 career games with the WHL's Brandon Wheat Kings. 

He's had to deal with injuries, which didn't look great to teams who once thought he was a top draft pick. McQueen would miss 20 regular-season games in his last season with the Wheat Kings due to a fractured vertebrae, which caused him to slip in the draft. 

Now, fully recovered, the 6-foot-6, 203-pound forward finished his first and last season in the NCAA third in scoring on the Friars, and looks to mature as a forward in the AHL with the Gulls. 

The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan forward has won two medals with Canada in 2024 at the U-18 World Championships and the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup. 


Kirby Lee-Imagn Images


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