The Wild Story Behind Hockey’s Biggest Draft Mystery!

The Wild Story Behind Hockey’s Biggest Draft Mystery!

busting in with speed at the right circle rosw trying to cut it back up front for mcqueen scores they’re unstoppable and we’re continuing to break down the nhl’s next big names and today we’re diving into roger mcqueen a 6’5 200lb center from the brandon wheat kings who’s got scouts buzzing for the 2025 nhl draft this guy’s got the size the hands and the wicked playmaking touch but a freak back injury has turned him from a surefire top pick into the draft’s biggest wild card so is he a future nhl star or a risky bet today we’re unpacking his story his game and that unique x factor that could make him a steal if you’re ready for this deep dive smash that like button and subscribe for more nhl draft content and let’s get rolling gets him to bite and drives the cage win fires blocks rebound from mcqueen a shot scores born in ‘ 06 in saskatoon saskatchewan roger mcqueen grew up in a family where hockey was practically a religion his dad scott played junior hockey and his uncle renee was a standout in the saskatchewan hockey scene so roger was stick handling before he could tie his own skates growing up he idolized nhl big men like ryan getsoff dreaming of using his size to dominate and as a kid roger tore up the youth hockey rings by age 16 he was a force with canada white’s u17 team racking up four goals and four assists in just six games his mix of size and skill turned heads early and you could tell this kid was built for something special that foundation set him up for a big leap to the whl so let’s talk about how he made his mark there play it left behind for vaughn he oversed the puck it’s back out for mcqueen scores two assists why not rogers whl journey started with the brandon wheat kings who drafted him fourth overall in the 2021 whl banttom draft in his rookie season of 2022 to 2023 he played 55 games putting up a modest four goals and 10 assists as a 16-year-old finding his footing but his sophomore year that’s when things clicked in the 23 to 24 season he exploded for 21 goals and 30 assists in 53 games showing off his offensive flare despite missing the last month with a back injury he came back for the playoffs leading brandon with four goals and an assist in four games talk about stepping up now here comes mcqueen roger mcqueen makes a move around pinoa now trying to find the centering feed it comes back to him he scores then came the 24 to2 season his draft year roger was on fire scoring four goals in his season opener against moose jaw and piling up 11 points in eight games but then disaster struck in october a spinal stress fracture initially misdiagnosed as a bulging disc sidelined him for 5 months he returned in march still managing 10 goals and 10 assists in 17 games a near point per game pace despite the setback post onx mentioned he’s fully recovered saying a later injury was just compensation and now it’s healed internationally he shined too with a goal and two assists in the 2024 gretzky cup missing half the season and still producing like that that’s not just skill that’s grit puck turned over for janna’s own all alone roger mcqueen between the legs he scores so what makes roger mcqueen so special picture a 6’5 center who moves like a much smaller player with hands that can make defenders look silly roger’s a beast at protecting the puck using his massive frame and long reach to fend off checkers and drive to the net his puck skills are slick and he can pull off elusive deaks in tight spaces and has a knack for finding open ice especially around the crease his hockey iq is off the charts with precise passing that sets up teammates for prime scoring chances he’s a playmaker who controls the game from the half wall slipping backhand or hook passes through traffic with ease up the right side busting in with speed at the right circle rosma trying to cut it back up front for mcqueen scores physically he’s no soft giant averaging almost 1.5 hits per game and bringing an edge that gets opponents rattled his one-time is deadly and he’s got a nose for finding soft spots to unleash it whether he’s screening goalies cycling the puck or battling for position roger’s the kind of player who shifts the momentum he’s not just big he’s a title wave controlling the flow of the game with power and finesse circle highland walks it back up front for mcqueen a shot scores roger mcqueen drives it in the big guns come but we have to talk about the elephant in the room that’s rogers’s risks that spinal stress fracture has scouts nervous with some teams worried it could be a recurring issue medical clearance will be huge for his draft stock and gms will definitely be grilling their doctors before taking the plunge on the ice his skating needs work while he’s mobile for his size his acceleration and edge work aren’t elite and his mechanics can look labored especially on quick turns he also struggles in puck battles winning only 44% of the time and needs to add strength to dominate consistently when roger’s on his game he’s a force but when he’s off he can drift to the perimeter and fall for poke checks instead of driving through contact and his playmaking could be sharper too he’s not always a threat to create high danger chances if he tightens these areas he’s a superstar in the making but teams will be asking is that back injury a one-time thing or a red flag that haunts his career over the line to his left finds win at the left circle win feeds it through to mcqueen scores what a passing play and roger despite the injury though roger mcqueen’s a consensus top 10 pick for the 2025 nhl draft elite prospects ranks him number five tsn’s bob mckenzie has him at number seven and nhl central scouting lists him eighth among north american skaters some like the athletic call him a unicorn for his rare blend of size speed and skill suggesting he could have been a first overall contender if healthy mock drafts have him going as high as number five to montreal or number seven to boston with teams like pittsburgh at number 11 eyeing him if he slips his rankings vary anywhere from number five to number 17 because of the injury uncertainty but scouts love his upside if a team trusts their medical staff and development program they could land a firstline center at a bargain a gm willing to roll the dice on rogers health might walk away with the steal of the draft especially if he hits his ceiling as a two-way force mid point mani dominic peter for win a shot didn’t work sent across they score but here’s what sets roger mcqueen apart his story and his skill set are one of a kind battling back from a spinal fracture in his draft year shows a resilience that can’t be taught and his comeback narrative is the kind that inspires teammates and fans alike at 6’5 he’s not just a big body he’s a playmaking center who can outskate defenders while also controlling the puck with finesse that combo is rare even in a draft class loaded with talent post on x compare him to tage thompson hinting at his potential to be a gamecher if he stays healthy when you see roger weave through traffic or fire a laser one-time you realize this isn’t just another prospect he’s a future nhl star waiting to break through so right now roger mcqueen is the ultimate high-risk highreward prospect in the 2025 nhl draft if he stays healthy he’s got the makings of a dominant nhl power center who can change games with his size skill and smart but who is bold enough to take a chance on him i want you to drop your pick in the comments below who’s snagging mcqueen and where does he land on your draft board don’t forget to like subscribe and check out our top five riskiest prospects video next for more draft buzz thanks for watching and i’ll see you in the next one

Roger McQueen: the 6-foot-5 WHL center who’s lighting up the 2025 NHL Draft conversation, but with a twist! Once a surefire top pick, a freak back injury turned him into the draft’s biggest wild card. Is he a future NHL star or a risky bet? We’re diving deep into his incredible journey, dissecting his unique blend of size, skill, and that undeniable X-factor that could make him the steal of the draft. From his explosive sophomore season where he put up 21 goals and 30 assists in 53 games, to battling back from a spinal stress fracture in his draft year, McQueen’s story is pure resilience. Discover why scouts call him a “unicorn” and compare him to Tage Thompson – if he stays healthy, he’s got first-line center potential. Don’t miss this breakdown of the 2025 NHL Draft’s ultimate high-risk, high-reward star!

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