Michael Misa couldn’t have done much more to boost his draft stock. The 18-year-old forward wrapped up an outstanding season with the Saginaw Spirit, scoring 62 goals and adding 72 assists in 65 games. That 134-point total wasn’t just the best in the OHL, it topped all major junior hockey. With the NHL Draft coming up, Misa looks like a strong contender to go first overall.
Michael Misa’s Breakout Year Has NHL Teams Watching Closely
The Oakville native has been on NHL radars since 2022, when he became one of the few players granted exceptional status to enter the OHL a year early. That same spring, he made headlines by breaking Connor McDavid’s scoring record at the OHL Cup. He was just 15 at the time.
New #OHLCup powered by @UnderArmour Record
Michael Misa’s fifth point of the night gives him 20 in the Showcase, surpassing Connor McDavid for the most in one tournament. pic.twitter.com/4I7eC0vrWN
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) April 5, 2022
The Spirit took him first overall in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, and Misa hasn’t slowed down since. His game has grown in all areas, especially in 2024-25. He doesn’t just rack up points; he plays with purpose. He sees plays develop before others do and makes decisions at top speed. That vision, paired with quick hands and smooth skating, makes him hard to contain.
Moving back to the center this season gave him more control over the game. Misa said he felt more confident in the middle, which showed in his production.
“I just feel a lot more comfortable down the middle, got a lot more puck touches, just carrying the play on my stick more was definitely something that helped me,” he said at the NHL Draft Combine, according to Steven Ellis of Daily Faceoff.
Scouts took notice of how comfortable he looked carrying the puck and dictating play.
“Misa’s offensive instincts are elite. He processes the game at a high level and executes at top speed. Scouts believe he is NHL-ready and has the potential to become an elite top-line center,” says ESPN’s Rachel Doerrie, who ranked Misa No. 2 in the 2025 NHL Draft.
“Away from the puck, Misa excels at finding soft areas in coverage and has a flair for delivering in clutch moments. His combination of high-end playmaking and goal-scoring ability makes him a constant dual threat in the offensive zone.”
He’s expected to be the first forward off the board, with the New York Islanders holding the top pick. Reports suggest they’re weighing their options between Misa and defenseman Matthew Schaefer. Schaefer missed time with an injury, allowing Misa to take the spotlight, and he ran with it.
Misa’s All-Around Game Has Scouts Sold
Misa is more than a pure scorer. His attention to detail and clever positioning have turned him into a reliable two-way player. He’s trusted in all situations and rarely takes shifts off. This year, his play away from the puck improved significantly, and that’s helped shape him into a top-line center in the making.
What makes him stand out is how fast he plays without rushing things. He’s got a quick first step and uses it well on both ends of the ice. He doesn’t shy away from physical contact and battles hard along the boards.
His shot may not be the hardest, but he’s deadly accurate. Misa focused on placement over power, and it worked as he scored from all over the offensive zone. His ability to find space and pick corners quietly sets him apart from other players his age.
CHECK OUT the speed burst from Michael Misa @SpiritHockey in this clip! And then that finish! #NHLDraft #HockeyTwitter pic.twitter.com/3va8SYxsyW
— NHL Draft Prospects (@NHLDraftPros) June 14, 2025
Off the ice, Misa stays grounded. He was named the OHL’s Scholastic Player of the Year, receiving the Bobby Smith Trophy. Misa earned an 86% average while taking university-level courses in high school.
Despite that, he didn’t get an invite to Team Canada’s World Junior camp, something many now question. Still, Misa didn’t let that slow him down. He kept his head down and delivered his best season yet.
“He’s special,” said fellow draft prospect and longtime friend Malcolm Spence via Daily Faceoff. “You see how he shoots and how he competes. He’s been so good from a young age, and it’s easy to understand why he’s so dangerous.”
There’s a chance Misa could jump straight to the NHL, though some teams might want him to develop a bit more, possibly at the college level, like his brother Luke Misa. But whether it’s next season or the one after, Misa seems ready.
