anaheim ducks have assigned forward Roger McQueen to an Amateur Tryout Agreement with their American Hockey League affiliate, the San Diego Gulls, where he will remain for the rest of the 2025-26 season.
What Happens Next for the Anaheim Ducks Development Path?
Roger McQueen, the 10th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, arrives in San Diego after a freshman season at Providence College in which he scored 11 goals and 16 assists for 27 points in 36 games and earned Hockey East Rookie of the Year honors. The Ducks’ general manager Pat Verbeek said McQueen will gain valuable experience playing additional games in San Diego. McQueen has not yet signed an entry-level contract, but the expectation is that he will do so in the near future.
What If McQueen Signs an Entry-Level Contract? How his AHL stint reshapes near-term plans
McQueen’s background includes major junior play with the Brandon Wheat Kings and international experience with Canadian teams that won gold at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and the IIHF U18 World Championship. In joining the Gulls, he steps into a club holding the final playoff spot in the AHL Pacific Division. For the anaheim ducks player pathway, the ATO provides meaningful game action late in the regular season and a bridge between college hockey and pro competition.
Who Wins, Who Loses and What to Watch
- Potential winners: McQueen can accelerate his transition to professional hockey by gaining regular minutes with the Gulls and showcasing his collegiate scoring and faceoff strengths.
- Affiliate impact: The San Diego Gulls add a first-round center to their roster during a push to maintain a playoff position in the Pacific Division.
- Organizational stakes: The Ducks retain roster flexibility while evaluating McQueen before finalizing an entry-level contract.
Key signs to monitor over the ATO period include McQueen’s role and ice time with the Gulls, how quickly he adapts from college and major-junior play to the AHL, and timing on his entry-level deal. This move keeps development momentum intact and gives all parties a low-risk window to determine next steps for Roger McQueen and the anaheim ducks
