Completed Event: Men's Ice Hockey versus #9/7 Michigan on October 10, 2025 , Loss , 1, to, 5
Men's Ice Hockey
vs #9/7 Michigan
Final
1
-
5
Providence College Athletics
Photo by: Brian Foley for Foley-Photograph
Feature: Driven to Succeed, Roger McQueen Embraces New Beginning in Friartown
10/24/2025 2:32:00 PM | Men's Ice Hockey
Driven to Succeed, Roger McQueen Embraces New Beginning in Friartown
Written by: Griffin Clark
Moments after hearing his name called 10th overall by the Anaheim Ducks in June, Roger McQueen boarded a helicopter bound for Disneyland. He was headed to a photo op with another McQueen, one the city of Anaheim has known far longer than the 19-year-old hockey star. Upon arrival, the team's new draft pick from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, posed alongside Lightning McQueen, Disney's iconic race car character who happens to share his last name.
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Ducks fans aren't the only ones offering a warm welcome to their young star. Before McQueen begins his professional career on the West Coast, his first stop in the U.S. is at Providence College. Playing college hockey was not always in the cards, but a recent rule change now allows Canadian junior hockey players to transition to the NCAA. This opened the door for McQueen, who played four seasons for the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League, to bring his talents to Nate Leaman's squad.
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McQueen, who is the first top-10 draft pick in program history for the Friars, expressed excitement about playing for Leaman and his coaching staff.
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"I talked to [Leaman] for so long, and we really got a good connection there," McQueen said. "He's just one of those top-notch people that are super nice, genuine, and just wants the best out of his players."
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Joining the Friars also reunited McQueen with two familiar faces, Hudson Malinoski and Quinn Mantei. He and Malinoski were teammates on the Saskatoon Blazers of the Saskatchewan U18 AAA Hockey League. Mantei and McQueen played together with the Wheat Kings.
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"My best buddy from back home (Malinoski) said so much good stuff about this place, everything about the campus, and everyone here," McQueen said. "So, I really like that."
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After adding McQueen to a roster already containing seven NHL draft picks, the Friars were picked to finish second in the Hockey East Men's Preseason Coaches' Poll. He brings a unique blend of size and physicality to a team aiming for its second straight trip to the NCAA Tournament. During the draft process, scouts raved about his outstanding puck handling, vision, and scoring ability. His 6-foot-6-inch frame not only appealed to Leaman and his staff, but it was also a major factor in Anaheim's decision to select him.
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"There's not too many 6-foot-6 talented centers that last until pick No. 10, and that's why we're so happy with the pick," said Martin Madden, Assistant General Manager and Director of Amateur Scouting for the Ducks, in a recent interview.
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This season, McQueen is settling into life at Providence College and embracing the chance to hone his skills at Schneider Arena. He models his game after Aleksander Barkov and Tage Thompson, both NHL All-Stars. He also hopes to grow more accustomed to living far away from home, balancing the demands of college hockey with the expectations of being a student. The early results have been promising, with McQueen notching his first collegiate assist in just his third regular-season game for the Friars.
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Eventually, McQueen will trade in his Friars threads for an orange Ducks jersey, joining a prestigious group of Providence College hockey players to reach the NHL.Â
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Written by: Griffin Clark
Moments after hearing his name called 10th overall by the Anaheim Ducks in June, Roger McQueen boarded a helicopter bound for Disneyland. He was headed to a photo op with another McQueen, one the city of Anaheim has known far longer than the 19-year-old hockey star. Upon arrival, the team's new draft pick from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, posed alongside Lightning McQueen, Disney's iconic race car character who happens to share his last name.
Â
Ducks fans aren't the only ones offering a warm welcome to their young star. Before McQueen begins his professional career on the West Coast, his first stop in the U.S. is at Providence College. Playing college hockey was not always in the cards, but a recent rule change now allows Canadian junior hockey players to transition to the NCAA. This opened the door for McQueen, who played four seasons for the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League, to bring his talents to Nate Leaman's squad.
Â
McQueen, who is the first top-10 draft pick in program history for the Friars, expressed excitement about playing for Leaman and his coaching staff.
Â
"I talked to [Leaman] for so long, and we really got a good connection there," McQueen said. "He's just one of those top-notch people that are super nice, genuine, and just wants the best out of his players."
Â
Joining the Friars also reunited McQueen with two familiar faces, Hudson Malinoski and Quinn Mantei. He and Malinoski were teammates on the Saskatoon Blazers of the Saskatchewan U18 AAA Hockey League. Mantei and McQueen played together with the Wheat Kings.
Â
"My best buddy from back home (Malinoski) said so much good stuff about this place, everything about the campus, and everyone here," McQueen said. "So, I really like that."
Â
After adding McQueen to a roster already containing seven NHL draft picks, the Friars were picked to finish second in the Hockey East Men's Preseason Coaches' Poll. He brings a unique blend of size and physicality to a team aiming for its second straight trip to the NCAA Tournament. During the draft process, scouts raved about his outstanding puck handling, vision, and scoring ability. His 6-foot-6-inch frame not only appealed to Leaman and his staff, but it was also a major factor in Anaheim's decision to select him.
Â
"There's not too many 6-foot-6 talented centers that last until pick No. 10, and that's why we're so happy with the pick," said Martin Madden, Assistant General Manager and Director of Amateur Scouting for the Ducks, in a recent interview.
Â
This season, McQueen is settling into life at Providence College and embracing the chance to hone his skills at Schneider Arena. He models his game after Aleksander Barkov and Tage Thompson, both NHL All-Stars. He also hopes to grow more accustomed to living far away from home, balancing the demands of college hockey with the expectations of being a student. The early results have been promising, with McQueen notching his first collegiate assist in just his third regular-season game for the Friars.
Â
Eventually, McQueen will trade in his Friars threads for an orange Ducks jersey, joining a prestigious group of Providence College hockey players to reach the NHL.Â
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Players Mentioned
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