The WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is forward Roger McQueen, who plays for the Brandon Wheat Kings.
McQueen is one of the most polarizing players in this year's class. A towering figure at 6'5" and weighing in at a respectable 192lbs, the Saskatchewan native has found his name all over the first round discussion.
For such a tall player, especially at his age, McQueen is surprisingly light and smooth on his feet. While not a straight-line player like Connor McDavid or as elusive as Gavin McKenna, he'll find ways to weasel into scoring opportunities. This goes hand in hand with his vision, as he's become quite a playmaker with Brandon. As well, McQueen has developed a bit of a physical edge; he's able to throw his weight around, and as the saying goes "if you can't go around, go through."
However, there is one large black cloud currently hanging over the Wheat Kings forward as far as his NHL future. After a strong start to the 2024-25 campaign, McQueen suffered an upper body injury that would sideline him until mid-March. He did make a return, but only played a few more games before returning to the injury list. This can be considered similar to Medicine Hat Tigers star forward Cayden Lindstrom, who missed nearly the entire season and returned just in time for the 2025 WHL championship series.
Potential health concerns aside, McQueen has the ability to become a top end player from the 2025 class with his versatility and playmaking ability. It's only a matter of time before he hears his name called at the 2025 NHL draft, where he is mostly projected to go somewhere in the top-15.
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