Actor Joshua Jackson brought ‘The Great One’ to the 2025 Upper Deck NHL Draft in Los Angeles. On June 27, he caught up with his “Mighty Ducks” co-star, Marguerite Moreau. The event marked a significant occasion in Jackson’s life as he announced the Anaheim Ducks’ first draft pick, center Roger McQueen, who was selected as the 10th overall player.
Jackson, who gained fame as Charlie Conway in the original 1992 film “The Mighty Ducks,” donned the bright orange jersey. The front was adorned with a now-familiar avian logo, while the back sported “CONWAY” in all caps, bold letters. He donned the retro ensemble to honor his legacy of playing one-third of the dynamic trio in the cherished series. This franchise that captured the imagination of moviegoers eventually led to the creation of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim NHL expansion team in 1993.
Looking back on his path, Jackson was thankful. He loved the idea of being a part of such a momentous day in a young athlete’s life. He stated, “To be a part of making somebody’s dream come true, you just don’t get that opportunity very often in your life.” Now 47, Jackson reflected warmly on his formative experiences as a 13-year-old shooting the first movie. He had no idea that people around the globe would continue to support the franchise for decades, keeping it alive and relevant.
The chance reunion with Moreau gave both actors, especially Scott, the opportunity to ruminate on the journeys traveled in their early years. As Jackson wryly noted, the majority of these draftees are young enough that their parents weren’t even born when the first “Mighty Ducks” movie came out. This tickled him to no end! “Some of their parents weren’t even born by the time we made the Mighty Ducks movies,” he quipped.
He opened up about his love for hockey and how it’s become a central focus of his life. He candidly talked about how lucky he’s been to get near the Stanley Cup several times. His childhood dream of becoming an architect to examine building design more critically, while still growing up in Vancouver, was shared. “I used to dream of being announced as a member of the NHL Draft, not doing the announcing,” he said.
On his recent visit to NHL Tonight, Jackson engaged in a wide-ranging discussion with hosts E.J. Hradek and Alexa Landestoy. Tuxhorn responded with wonder that the amazing influence the “Mighty Ducks” franchise continues to exert decades later. “I don’t think really any of us knew what we were doing and couldn’t possibly have even dreamed that this would be a possibility all these years later,” he remarked.
His inclusion at the draft was a full-circle moment for sure, with the return of him wearing the number 96 jersey to boot. “And to come full circle wearing the jersey, it feels pretty good. To have my small brick in the wall of the legacy of the game is amazing,” Jackson added.
As he continues to celebrate his connection to the world of hockey through his acting career, Joshua Jackson remains a devoted fan and a proud representative of a franchise that has left an indelible mark on both cinema and sports.
