Michael Misa

Last updated

Michael Misa
Born (2007-02-16) February 16, 2007 (age 18)
Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position Forward
Shoots Left
OHL team Saginaw Spirit
NHL draft 2nd overall, 2025
San Jose Sharks

Michael Misa (born February 16, 2007) is a Canadian ice hockey forward for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was junior captain for the Saginaw Spirit while in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). In the 2025 NHL entry draft, he was drafted second overall by the Sharks. [1]

Contents

Playing career

At the 2022 OHL Cup, Misa had 20 points in seven games to beat Connor McDavid's record for tournament scoring. [2]

In April 2022, Misa was granted exceptional player status to enter the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) for the 2022–23 season, becoming the eighth player to be granted exceptional status, the previous being Shane Wright. [3] A few weeks later, he was selected first overall at the 2022 OHL draft by the Saginaw Spirit. [4] In his OHL debut on October 1, 2022, a 10–6 victory over the Guelph Storm, he recorded two goals. [5] Despite missing six weeks with a fractured tibia, he had the most productive season for an exceptional-status player in OHL history, achieving 1.24 points per game, ahead of John Tavares' 1.18, Wright's 1.14, and McDavid's 1.05. [6] Misa would go on to win the Emms Family Award as OHL rookie of the year. [7]

Appearing in 67 games during the 2023–24 season, Misa had 29 goals and 46 assists. His point-per-game rate was lower than the prior season, which Saginaw's general manager attributed to his playing fewer minutes as a result of the team acquiring veteran junior players like Owen Beck. [8] The Spirit made a deep run in the OHL playoffs to the Western Conference Final, but were defeated by the London Knights in six games. [9] However, as the hosts, the team still participated in the 2024 Memorial Cup against the champions of the CHL's three leagues. Misa distinguished himself during the team's round robin game against the Drummondville Voltigeurs, registering three assists in a 4–3 comeback victory and being named player of the game. [10] The Spirit reached the championship game, a rematch with the London Knights, and defeated them to claim the franchise's first Memorial Cup. [11]

In January 2025, Misa was named the 26th captain in Saginaw history. [12] He finished the 2024–25 OHL season first in league scoring with 134 points, tying with Patrick Kane for most goals in a draft-eligible season with 62. [13] In addition to receiving the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy in recognition of his leading the league in scoring, Misa was awarded the Red Tilson Trophy as the most valuable player of the OHL regular season. [14] [15] As well, he was named scholastic player of the year, [16] and a First Team All-Star. [17] The Spirit were eliminated in the first round of the OHL playoffs by the Erie Otters, with Misa missing the final game of the series. [18] He was named a CHL First Team All-Star, and received the CHL Top Scorer Award for having led all three major junior leagues in points. [19]

In advance of the 2025 NHL entry draft, Misa was given the E. J. McGuire Award of Excellence by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau as their choice for the player who best exemplifies "commitment to excellence through strength of character, competitiveness and athleticism." [20] He was drafted second overall by the San Jose Sharks. [1]

International play

Medal record
Men's ice hockey
Representing Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Hlinka Gretzky Cup
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2023 Czech Republic/Slovakia

Misa won a gold medal representing Canada in the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, finishing the tournament with eight points in five games. [21]

Personal life

His older brother, Luke Misa, was drafted in the fifth round of the 2024 NHL entry draft by the Calgary Flames. [22]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Bold indicates led league

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2022–23 Saginaw Spirit OHL 4522345610113586
2023–24 Saginaw SpiritOHL67294675261747112
2024–25 Saginaw SpiritOHL6562721344542130
OHL totals1771131522658132913228

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2022 Canada Red U17 Silver medal icon.svg73360
2023 Canada HG18 Gold medal icon.svg52680
Junior totals1259140

Awards and honours

AwardYearRef
CHL
All-Rookie Team 2023 [23]
Memorial Cup champion 2024 [11]
CHL Top Scorer Award 2025 [24]
First All-Star Team 2025 [19]
OHL
First All-Rookie Team 2023 [25]
Emms Family Award 2023 [7]
Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy 2025 [14]
Bobby Smith Trophy 2025 [16]
Red Tilson Trophy 2025 [15]
First All-Star Team2025 [17]
NHL
E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence 2025 [20]

References

  1. 1 2 "Sharks select Misa at No. 2 and Ravensbergen at No. 30 in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft". NHL.com. June 27, 2025. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  2. Kennedy, Ryan. "How similar could Michael Misa be to Connor Bedard?". The Hockey News. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  3. "Michael Misa joins elite class of 15-year-olds granted exceptional status in OHL". CBC. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  4. Ellis, Steven. "Top 2025, 2026 NHL Draft talent on display at OHL Cup". Daily Faceoff. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  5. Bernreuter, Hugh (October 2, 2022). "Michael Misa 'exceptional' in OHL debut for Saginaw Spirit". Michigan Live. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  6. Wheeler, Scott. "For Michael Misa, OHL exceptional status and the 2025 NHL Draft are just the start" . The Athletic. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  7. 1 2 Pearson, Mark. "Saginaw Spirit player named OHL Rookie of the Year". MSN. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  8. Pereira, Gene (May 24, 2024). "Chance to shine on Memorial Cup's big stage is what Oakville's Misa relishes". inhalton.com. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  9. Stockl, Joely (May 5, 2024). "The London Knights Advance to the OHL Finals After Beating Saginaw & Winning Series 4-2". The Hockey News . Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  10. Stockl, Joely (May 26, 2024). "Hunter Haight & Michael Misa Shine As Saginaw Spirit Mount Comeback Against Drummondville Voltigeurs to Win 4-3". The Hockey News . Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  11. 1 2 Séguin, Christopher (June 3, 2023). "Spirit win their first-ever CHL championship title by defeating the Knights 4-3 in the final of the 2024 Memorial Cup presented by Dow". Canadian Hockey League . Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  12. Morreale, Mike G. (January 14, 2025). "2025 Draft: Schaefer tops Central Scouting midterm rankings". NHL. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  13. Ferrari, Tony (March 26, 2025). "2025 NHL Draft: Michael Misa's Historic Year Has Him Pushing For First Overall". Yahoo! Sports . Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  14. 1 2 "Spirit's Michael Misa wins Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy as OHL Top Scorer presented by Kubota". Canadian Hockey League. April 9, 2025. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  15. 1 2 "Spirit's Michael Misa wins Red Tilson Trophy as OHL's Most Outstanding Player". Canadian Hockey League. May 13, 2025. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  16. 1 2 "Spirit's Michael Misa claims Bobby Smith Trophy as OHL Scholastic Player of the Year". Canadian Hockey League. May 6, 2025. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  17. 1 2 "OHL Announces 2024-25 All-Star and All-Rookie Teams". Canadian Hockey League. May 30, 2025. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  18. "OHL Roundup: Michael Misa, Zayne Parekh, Saginaw Spirit eliminated in playoffs". Sportsnet . April 5, 2025. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  19. 1 2 Séguin, Christopher (June 20, 2025). "CHL Announces 2024-25 All-Star and All-Rookie Teams presented by CCM". Canadian Hockey League. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
  20. 1 2 Morreale, Mike G. (June 9, 2025). "Misa receives E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence". NHL.com. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  21. Spiker, Brianne (July 28, 2023). "Misa, Dickinson among Canadian players to watch at 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup". TSN. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  22. McCarthy, Rowan (May 7, 2025). "Luke Misa Commits To NCAA School". The Hockey News. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  23. Tidcombe, Matt (June 1, 2023). "2022-23 CHL All-Star Teams announced". chl.ca. Canadian Hockey Leagye. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  24. Séguin, Christopher (June 13, 2025). "Gavin McKenna becomes the third-youngest to earn CHL Player of the Year honours as the league's top talent is celebrated at the 2025 CHL Awards". Canadian Hockey League. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  25. Bernreuter, Hugh (June 3, 2023). "Saginaw Spirit place three on OHL all-rookie team". mlive.com. Michigan Live. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by San Jose Sharks first round draft pick
2025
Succeeded by