McQueen's NHL Draft-eligible season was unlike any other after being limited to 17 games because of a fracture in his lower back. He returned March 4 and gave himself a clean bill of health at the 2025 NHL Scouting Combine, during which he participated in all the testing. He was among the top 25 finishers in one of the tests, finishing eighth in the horizontal jump at 112.8 inches. He also had a 20.7-inch vertical jump, did nine pull-ups and completed the pro agility 20-yard shuttle run in 4.50 seconds starting to his left and 4.49 seconds starting to his right.

McQueen was selected by the Anaheim Ducks with the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft and then taken on a private helicopter to Disneyland, where was greeted by Donald Duck and enjoyed the attractions including a pit stop at Cars Land, where he met Lightning McQueen. That Sunday at Angel Stadium, where he threw the ceremonial first pitch, McQueen unveiled his No. 95, Lightning McQueen's number in Disney's "Cars" franchise.

He signed an amateur tryout agreement with San Diego of the American Hockey League on April 1, 2026, after he was named the Hockey East Rookie of the Year with 27 points (11 goals, 16 assists) in 36 games for Providence College. He then signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Ducks on April 18 after getting three points (one goal, two assists) in six games for San Diego.

McQueen overcame a back issue he said began while playing for Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in August 2023, and at one point was misdiagnosed as a bulging disk. He played through pain during the 2023-24 season but still had 51 points (21 goals, 30 assists) in 53 games, and was able to play at the 2024 IIHF World Under-18 Championship.