Report: Top NHL Draft prospect Roger McQueen to return from injury next week

Roger McQueen is set to return for the most important part of the hockey season.

The Brandon Wheat Kings star centre plans to return from injury next week during his WHL team’s four-game swing through Alberta, Perry Bergson of the Brandon Sun reported Thursday.

McQueen was in a non-contact jersey at practice on Thursday.

The Saskatoon native has played only eight games this season. He’s been out since Oct. 11 with a lower-body injury.

McQueen is ranked 20th in Sam Cosentino’s latest rankings for this season’s NHL Draft, but Cosentino says, “if healthy, there is a top-10 player in him.”

The six-foot-five McQueen had four goals in the season opener this year and has eight goals and three assists in his 11 games.

Starting next week, the Wheat Kings will have 10 games left. They also are close to clinching a playoff spot.