Roger McQueen, the Anaheim Ducks‘ first-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft (10th overall), wears number 95 as a Cars tribute, recently sporting the digits at last week’s NHLPA Rookie Showcase.
The crowd-pleasing choice is an homage to McQueen’s brother from another vehicle mother, Lightning McQueen, from the Disney movie Cars. In the beloved films, Lightning has the number 95 painted on the sides of his body, er, race car. The shared last names prompted fans to plead with Roger to wear No. 95 as well, and he happily obliged.
He sported the likely-to-be-bestselling jersey for the first time on June 29, 2025, when he threw out the first pitch for the Los Angeles Angels, picking his number shortly after being drafted.
The next day, Anaheim’s 2025 Development Camp began, and McQueen was seen skating in an orange Ducks practice jersey with No. 95 across his back, solidifying his number choice.
When asked about the choice, McQueen confirmed he was inspired by his car counterpart and hoped to excite fans and younger players. “I mean, I saw all the fans, obviously, being here, they would really like that and just trying to kind of be a role model for younger people too,” he said. “I mean, I like the number.”
“It’s not anything set in stone, but I for sure enjoyed wearing it,” he continued. It seems he did really enjoy it, deciding to continue using the number for the Rookie Showcase, potentially signaling that it is here to stay.
The Ducks and McQueen have long played into the last-name connection, which is strengthened by the team’s proximity to Disneyland and its ties to the Disney film franchise The Mighty Ducks.
Immediately after selecting McQueen in 2025 — which was announced by OG Mighty Ducks Joshua Jackson and Marguerite Moreau — the Ducks sent their new prospect on a helicopter, flying him to Disneyland to meet and pose for photos with Lightning McQueen.
Anaheim Ducks send draft pick Roger McQueen to Disneyland
McQueen spent the majority of this past season at Providence College, where he recorded 27 points (11g, 16a) in 36 games and was named Hockey East Rookie of the Year (and wore jersey number 29). After his freshman season, he signed an amateur tryout agreement with Anaheim’s AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls. He recorded 3 points (1g, 2a) in 7 regular season games and appeared in two playoff contests. On April 18, he signed a three-year, $3.23 million entry-level contract with the Ducks.
He was one of 21 rookies and prospects, along with the Washington Capitals’ Andrew Cristall and Cole Huston, selected to participate in the NHLPA Showcase last week, which deemed him one of the best players of the next generation and strongly signaled his imminent entry into the league.
Roger McQueen is likely hoping to continue emulating Lightning McQueen throughout his career by putting up a dominant rookie year and racing to a Cup of his own one day. Lightning won his first Piston Cup in 2006, the same year Roger was born.
