Michael MISA

C/LW
6’1/185
Left
Saginaw Spirit/OHL

Related: Porter Martone

Granted exceptional status in 2022 after being a dominant player in the GTHL, Michael Misa is a highly skilled offensive creator and puck distributor. He had an impressive rookie season with 56 points in 44 games with the Spirit and surpassed that last season with 75 in 67, winning the Memorial Cup in the process. With the Saginaw Spirit this season, Misa had 75 points (29 goals, 46 assists) and 31 power-play points (11 goals, 20 assists) in 67 regular-season games. He’s got a very high hockey IQ and always seems to make the right play with the puck — creativity combined with an exceptional skill set and a nose for the net, he skates really well with the patience and poise to make the players around him better. You instantly notice how quick and agile Misa is, displaying great speed and agility in transition and in the offensive zone. He has great posture with his skating and has strong edges to evade pressure and break away from opponents. He boasts strong hands and the ability to connect easily with his teammates, spotting the open seams and making quick and accurate passes. He’s an underrated shooter and if he could add more strength in his game, he could be even more lethal. Michael Misa has all the tools to be a top 5 pick in the NHL draft, but he is one of the players who could fall if one of the top-ranked defensemen has great years and surpasses him in the rankings.

Size/Strength Good
Skating Excellent
Shot/Scoring Excellent
Puckhandling Excellent
Physical Play Average
Offensive Play Excellent
Defensive Good
Hockey Sense Excellent
Competitiveness Good

Strengths

1. A smart forward who is a phenomenal skater, particularly when it comes to how he uses his agility and speed.
2. He is so dangerous in open ice and can score from just about everywhere.
3. A very smart player who makes his linemates better with his playmaking, his vision and his ability to execute while tightly covered. He’s also willing to track pucks, stick with plays and compete.

Weakness

1. Needs to get stronger physically.
2. Defensive awareness and D-zone coverage needs improvement.

Scouting Report

After receiving exceptional status in OHL two years ago, Misa has been able to make a sizable impact in the OHL. In the 2023-24 season with Saginaw, Misa scored 29 goals and 75 points in 67 games and then tallied a point per game at the Memorial Cup. Misa was a major of Canada’s Gold winning team at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, when he tallied 8 points in 5 games. Scouts will want to see him take an even bigger step forward next season as he leads a Saginaw team coming off of a Memorial Cup. Misa is a smart forward who skates like the wind, Misa is so dangerous in open ice and can score from just about everywhere. He’s not overly strong, and I feel like I still want to see another big step offensively, but Misa has all the talent to become a legitimate top-line threat in the NHL. He’s also a very smart player who makes his linemates better with his playmaking, his vision and his ability to execute while tightly covered. He’s also willing to track pucks, stick with plays, and compete. Looking solely at his skill set, it’s a pretty safe bet his scoring will take a jump in his draft season. He is a phenomenal skater, particularly when it comes to how he uses his agility and speed. My NHL Comparison for Michael Misa is Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who is a dynamic playmaker, who can also put the puck in the net. Like Marner, Misa excels on the man advantage but he also has seen time on the PK as well. Michael Misa is an elite offensive talent with top-five potential in the 2025 NHL Draft. His exceptional skating, high hockey IQ, and playmaking ability make him a dynamic presence in the offensive zone. For the time being, Michael Misa is a top 5 pick and if he has a great season, could be a top 3 pick in the draft.

Skill: Highly Skilled and Dynamic Playmaker with elite skating ability, Shot and Hockey IQ

NHL Comparable: Mitch Marner

NHL Potential: 1st Line Winger

Season	Team	League	GP	G	PTS
2023-24	Saginaw Spirit	OHL	67	29	75
	Canada U18	Hlinka Gretzky Cup	5	2	8
2024-25	Saginaw Spirit	OHL	3	7	8