His start in the American Hockey League with the San Diego Gulls caught the attention of Ducks management after he netted three goals in four games to begin the season.
Then came a pair of injuries to Anaheim forwards Ryan Poehling and Cutter Gauthier, which resulted in McQueen’s phone being called Monday night.
“I was actually watching a movie with my buddies at our place,” Roger said. “My phone started ringing and I saw it was (general manager) Pat Verbeek. I kind of figured and put two and two together.”
His next call was to parents Scott and Kayla, who hopped on a plane seven hours later to fly down to California to watch the final pre-game rookie lap of his career.
“Lots of emotions,” Scott said. “It’s kind of odd, it’s very happy and it’s a bit sad watching him skate around. It’s the last solo lap you chase. Mixed emotions for everybody, but the happiness overwhelmed the sadness.”
Roger’s sisters Cora and Audrey also made the trip to Anaheim, along with a few other family members to watch one of Saskatoon’s most promising prospects finally skate under the brightest lights in the sport.
According to Roger, it was those people on his mind when his blades first touched NHL ice with the Ducks.
“My dad has been there all the way through Saskatoon, dragging me to every rink and all my skates,” Roger said.
“He’s been my biggest cheerleader. Obviously, having my mom and sisters there too, and my auntie and little cousin fly down too, it was unbelievable. Having people to watch you there and support you that have been there for the last 19, 20 years of my life is awesome.”
Like many kids in the province, Roger’s hockey journey began in the backyard of his Saskatoon home with a family love for the sport.
“My dad built us a sports court in the backyard so I could shoot pucks back then when I was young,” Roger said. “I’d be out there always practiding, hanging out with my friends with a stick in my hands.”
A star with the Saskatoon U15 AA Stallions program, McQueen played his final year of hockey in his hometown in 2021-22 with the Saskatoon U18 AAA Blazers, where he led the team in scoring with 61 points in 41 games and was named Saskatchewan Male U18 AAA Hockey League rookie of the year.
Taken fourth overall in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft by the Brandon Wheat Kings, McQueen played three seasons of junior and put up 86 points in 127 games, despite battling several injuries.
In his draft year, a back injury sidelined the six-foot-six centreman to only 20 regular season and playoff games, but his combination of size and skill convinced the Ducks to use the 10th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft on McQueen.
Last season, he made the jump to NCAA hockey and was named Hockey East rookie of the year with Providence College after he recorded 11 goals and 27 points in 36 games.
While McQueen was able to gain some professional experience with the Gulls at the tail end of last season, it was still a surreal first few shifts Tuesday in Anaheim.
“The first period was more like I was trying to get back into real life,” Roger said. “I was still so shocked and happy to just be there. I think later on you kind of figure out you got a game to play in.”
McQueen is hopeful Anaheim will be his new home and will stick with the Ducks for the rest of the season, as his NHL career now has a starting point.
His hometown and Saskatchewan roots are still top of mind though, as he reflects on the community which helped form his love for the game and guided him to Orange County.
“(Saskatoon) is definitely my favourite place on earth,” Roger said. “It’s home, it’s the place that built me and got me to where I am.”
The McQueen family isn’t rushing back to Saskatchewan, as they’ll be back at Honda Center on Friday night to watch Roger’s second career NHL game against the Boston Bruins.
Even though the path to the NHL has never been guaranteed for Roger, Scott has always had an inkling his eldest child would one day skate with the top hockey players in the world.
“It’s kind of weird, it didn’t surprise me,” Scott said. “It’s just an incredible feeling as a dad to see your son make it to the NHL and get a chance to actually play in a game.”