Roger McQueen is making up for lost time, and other draft eligibles heating up
Roger McQueen is trying to make up for lost time.
McQueen, one of the biggest stories amongst the 2025 NHL Draft class this season with an injury that has wiped most of his season, is doing his best to leave an impression on the scouting community after returning to Brandon in the Western Hockey League following a multiple-month absence because of a back injury.
The 18-year-old has 18 points (nine goals, nine assists) in the 14 games he has played this season, including netting five points (one goal, four assists) in a pair of weekend games.
“He got off to a bit of a slow start in the first few games after his return, but this past weekend was a big step for him,” FCHockey regional scout Kareem Elshafey said. “He’s created lots of opportunities for teammates and maybe the most important thing — still plays with that physical edge even after a major injury. There’s a reason why McQueen never dropped from my top 10 and this past weekend was an example why. Brandon will be in the playoffs so hopefully we can see more of him.”
McQueen slots at no. 8 in FCHockey’s Spring ranking for the 2025 draft.
Here’s who else impressed over the course of the past week:
Viggo Nordlund (Skellefteå AIK, J20 Nationell)
Swedish draft-eligible forward Viggo Nordlund hasn’t had his name front and center during conversations for the 2025 draft, but the young speedster has been changing that narrative by lighting up the scoresheet lately — to the tune of 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in his last 10 games and a monster week with nine points (five goals, four assists) in his last three games.
Nordlund was no. 28 amongst European skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s midterm ranking, but was unranked in FCHockey’s spring ranking.
Bruno Osmanis (IF Björklöven, J20 Nationell)
Winger Bruno Osmanis, stole some headlines after nabbing a pair of assists in Latvia’s stunning 3-2 shootout victory over Canada at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, has been a quasi under-the-radar prospect this season in Sweden. The IF Björklöven winger has split time between the junior and pro team. While he’s struggled to produce in HockeyAllsvenskan in very limited opportunity with seven points (one goal, six assists) in 27 games, he’s been a force with 37 points (12 goals, 25 assists) in J20 Nationell. That includes a monster week in a pair of games at the junior level, notching an impressive nine points (five goals, four assists)
Osmanis is ranked in the seventh round of the 2025 draft at FCHockey.
Jack Nesbitt (Windor Spitfires, OHL)
Big-bodied forward Jack Nesbitt has taken a step offensively in his sophomore season in the Ontario Hockey League, and it’s helping his draft stock rise. He was among the biggest risers from FCHockey’s Winter ranking in December to March’s Spring ranking.
Nesbitt continued to impress on the scoresheet this week, picking up seven points (three goals, four assists) in four games while firing 10 shots on goal. He opened the week with a strong special teams performance with a goal and an assist on the power play, while adding another helper at even strength. He added a pair of assists in his team’s next two games against Sault Ste Marie and Saginaw before closing the week with a two-goal performance against London.
He slots inside the first round at no. 30 in FCHockey’s Spring ranking for the 2025 draft.
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