Roger McQueen is really leaning into the “Cars” theme, making quite the splash as he prepared for his NHL debut on Tuesday night. Like all rookies, he had to take his solo lap around the ice, which turned out to be a special nod to the Disney Pixar character, Lightning McQueen.
Derek Lee from The Hockey News shared a video of this rookie lap on X, mentioning that Roger was accompanied by Sheryl Crow’s “Real Gone,” a song originally featured in the “Cars” soundtrack back in 2006. It’s become somewhat iconic among fans of the film, especially since it’s played during a key racing scene.
For McQueen, starting in the NHL marks the beginning of a promising career, and he seems to be cultivating a fun connection to Lightning McQueen. He’s not just wearing the No. 95 jersey—he also had quite a memorable draft night. After being picked 10th overall by the Ducks, he had a whirlwind experience where he was whisked away by helicopter to Disneyland, which seems fitting given his namesake.
During his time at Disneyland, he made a point to visit Cars Land and snapped a picture with Lightning McQueen in front of the Cozy Cone Motel before heading to the Disneyland castle for more photos. It’s all a bit surreal, I think, but quite fitting for someone who’s stepping into the spotlight in such a unique way.
Now, as the Ducks’ top prospect following a solid year at Providence University—where he tallied 11 goals and 16 assists in 36 games—Roger is ready to make an impact. After a brief stint on the Ducks’ AHL roster, where he earned three points in seven games, he’s kicked off the current AHL season with three goals already.
