Top-level NHL draft prospect Michael Misa tore the OHL apart with a season that rewrote the history books.
Misa finished atop the OHL scoring race with 134 points, 10 points more than second place. He had the most points per game among players with at least 25 games played – only his linemate, Igor Chernyshov, had a higher average, but he played just 23 games.
Misa’s 62 goals ranked second in the OHL behind Nick Lardis, a Chicago Blackhawks draft pick from 2023. Misa also led the entire CHL in scoring and finished behind just Lardis once again as a goal-scorer.
To say that Misa was the OHL’s best player this season would be an understatement. He was a force of nature. He’s in the conversation for the best player in the CHL with Gavin McKenna, a player discussed as a generational talent, although he’s 10 months younger than Misa.
This has come in the biggest season of Misa’s career thus far, his NHL draft year, when first overall is on the table.
“I just want to be the best player every time I’m at the rink,” Misa said earlier this season. “My determination on and off the ice. I’m a really coachable guy who is going to do everything it takes to win.”
When you consider players in their draft year, Misa’s season is even more impressive.
Since 2000, only Patrick Kane has had a higher-scoring draft year among OHLers, and Misa is tied with Kane for the most goals in a draft-eligible season.
Kane spent most of his draft year as an 18-year-old while Misa just turned 18 last month. Among U-18 skaters, Misa’s scoring output ranks fifth since 1980, with only players like Eric Lindros and Dino Ciccarelli ahead of him.
Misa earned exceptional status as a 15-year-old coming into the OHL, so there were always sky-high expectations, but to put together a season like he has is truly special.
Four forwards have been granted exceptional status in OHL history – Misa, Connor McDavid, Shane Wright and John Tavares. Among those players, only Tavares matched Misa’s 134-point output, although Tavares did it in his age-16 season before following it up with an 118-point performance as a draft-eligible player.
“I have always played up a year with the (2006-born players), and it just made sense for me to keep doing it,” said 2007-born Misa. “I want to keep challenging myself and putting myself in the best position to get better.”
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Improving and developing his game in every facet has been a key point of emphasis for Misa since his youth hockey days. He wants his team to put the responsibility of being the best on his shoulders.
Being the best isn’t just about scoring, though. It’s about putting forth solid efforts at both ends of the ice.
“I’ve been PK-ing more this year and trying to focus on my defensive game as well,” Misa said. “It has been great because it’s opened my game up for more puck touches and chances to create offense.”
Hockey IQ has always been one of Misa’s greatest strengths. He has all the physical tools from skating and a wicked shot to slick passing and handling ability, but his ability to read the ice, see how play develops and attack at the perfect moment has made him special.
Many young players don’t understand until their mid-twenties that the more they play defense, the more puck touches and opportunities they get. That’s why Misa is such a complete, dynamic, and well-rounded player. He understands hockey better than many players already in the NHL.
With the NHL draft approaching, Misa isn’t focused on going first overall, although he admits it would be special. The young center is focused on what is right in front of him, the OHL playoffs.
Last year, he was a middle-of-the-lineup piece on a powerhouse team that won the Memorial Cup. This year, he wants to be the centerpiece to an OHL championship team.
His journey to accomplish that goal will start Thursday as the Spirit take on the Erie Otters in the first round of the playoffs. Erie could welcome back Matthew Schaefer, the top contender for first overall who has been out since the world juniors with a broken collarbone.
If it is Misa facing Schaefer in the first round, NHL draft fans will be glued to this series, as we could see the top two picks in June go head-to-head. Misa will be looking to assert himself and lead Saginaw on a long playoff run once again.
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