Michael Misa (Photo by Kevin Sousa/Getty Images)
Michael Misa continues to make his case as one of the top prospects for the 2025 NHL Draft, showing the kind of two-way maturity, positional versatility, and composure under pressure that NHL teams covet in a top-line forward.
From the moment he entered the OHL as an exceptional status player, Misa has been under the microscope—but instead of being overwhelmed by the spotlight, he’s thrived in it, evolving into one of the most complete forwards in junior hockey. His blend of high-end skill, hockey IQ, and competitiveness has made him a constant difference-maker, whether he’s producing offensively or playing a key role in his own zone.
Now entering the biggest offseason of his young career, the Saginaw Spirit standout is zeroed in on refining his identity as a centre—and rounding out the defensive side of his game to match his elite offensive toolkit. With the NHL Draft on the horizon and a long summer of preparation ahead, Misa is embracing every opportunity to sharpen his game and prove he’s ready for the next level.
Growing His Game As a Centre
Michael Misa entered his draft year with all eyes on him—an exceptional status player already proven at the OHL level and fresh off a Memorial Cup appearance. But rather than rest on early accolades, Misa used the experience as a springboard for the next stage of his development.
Surrounded by veteran talent in Saginaw, he absorbed what it takes to lead, elevate his game, and take on more responsibility in all three zones. Now firmly in the conversation as a top prospect for the 2025 NHL Draft, Misa’s shift to full-time centre became a defining turning point in both his confidence and overall impact on the ice.
“Coming off the Memorial Cup year, we had a lot of older guys. So just being able to learn off of them coming into my draft year helped my game,” said Misa in an exclusive interview with RG. “I think the biggest thing for me was just playing with confidence.”
That confidence translated into a noticeable shift on the ice. While Misa has always been known for his high-end puck skill and offensive creativity, it was his full-time transition to centre that began unlocking another level of play. For a forward with elite hockey IQ and strong vision, the move allowed him to have the puck on his stick more often, drive play through the middle, and take on more defensive responsibility.
“Going down the middle is something I want to do. I’m more comfortable down the middle,” said Misa.
“I think, when I got that chance [to play centre] I kind of found my groove again. I got a lot more puck touches and was the third guy low. As a centre, you kind of carry the play into the offensive zone and that’s where I was able to feed my wingers a lot and set them up.”
Despite his adaptability, Misa is clear on where he believes he belongs at the next level.
“My first option would definitely be centre,” said Misa about his positional preference at the next level. “When I do eventually get there, I’ll play wherever the team needs me. But, I hope to be a centre.”
That team-first mindset shaped his draft year development. Misa became more than just a highlight-reel scorer—he became a leader on a younger team with real expectations.
“It was my draft year; a big year for me,” explained Misa. “So I just tried to do whatever I could to help the group. We had a lot of our younger players step up. Our team ended up rounding out really well.”
His growth as a 200-foot player was no accident. It was a deliberate effort, aided by a coach that emphasized responsibility away from the puck. Misa responded by becoming more active on the backcheck and harder to play against in his own zone.
That level of detail in his development isn’t lost on Misa, especially as he looks ahead.
“At the next level, you got to do that to be trusted and play a 200-foot game,” added Misa.
Dealing With the Pressure
As one of just a handful of players to earn exceptional status into the OHL, Misa entered junior hockey with outsized expectations. From day one, the spotlight followed him—and learning how to handle it was just as important as learning systems or sharpening skills.
“Coming into the OHL right away, there was pressure for me to do well as an exceptional status player. The expectations were heavy and the best thing you can do is tune everything out, like the outside noise, and focus on what you can do—inside and outside the rink—to make yourself a better player,” explained Misa. “Play hockey and try to ignore everything else.”
Misa models his game after some of the league’s most dynamic forwards. His approach blends patience with playmaking—a calm, methodical style that mirrors some of his favorite stars.
“I think I’m a mix of Kirill Kaprizov and Nikita Kucherov. I like watching both of those players; they’re both lefties,” said Misa. “They play similar to me. The way they calm the play down and always make the good play—they’re great playmakers.”
His early influences started much closer to home, though—particularly in London, Ontario.
“That would be Mitch Marner. I watched him a lot in London and then he got drafted by the Leafs,” said Misa of his favorite player growing up. “He’s a player I’ve always followed; I like the way he plays. Just one of the smartest players in the NHL—it’s so fun to watch him.”
Looking to the Draft and Beyond
Misa is currently rehabbing a minor back issue that kept him out of the U-18s, but he emphasized that it’s nothing serious. His plan now is to be ready for key summer milestones.
“The next couple of weeks is just focusing on rehab. The reason I didn’t go to the U-18s was because of a back injury. It’s nothing serious, just muscle tightness—I need it to get back to normal,” explained Misa. “When I get it back to normal, I’ll be skating and getting in the gym and doing what I can to prepare for the combine.”
For Misa, strength and conditioning will be crucial in his transition to pro hockey. Adding muscle and improving core strength are top priorities heading into the summer.
“I have to get stronger. I think, at the next level, they’re grown men,” Misa broke down. “In order to stay at that level, you want to gain muscle mass and get stronger—it can help your play on and off the puck. And, of course, be more reliable out there.”
He’s also leaning on his older brother Luke—drafted by the Calgary Flames last year—for advice during the interview and draft process.
While Misa’s path has been shaped in the OHL with the Saginaw Spirit, the evolving landscape of player development is giving him and others more flexibility than ever. With the NCAA now available to unsigned CHL players, it opens up a new avenue for prospects to continue their growth while pursuing education.
For someone like Misa—who’s already drawn significant NHL interest—having the option to take additional time to develop physically and mentally in the NCAA could be an advantage, should the NHL not immediately be in the cards after his draft year.
“I think, not just for me, but any player, it’s pretty cool that that NCAA option is now available to players who haven’t signed yet,” said Misa. “I think my main goal is to try to make the NHL and have a good camp. But, if not, it’s something I’m going to talk to my agent about and kind of discuss what my next steps are.”
Still, his OHL experience has provided an ideal environment to grow into a top draft prospect. As one of the youngest players to play in the OHL, Misa has played against older, stronger competition for years and has proven he belongs.
The OHL has fast-tracked his readiness, teaching him the pace and responsibility required at the pro level. Whether he continues down that road or takes the NCAA route if needed, Misa has positioned himself well for whatever the next step may be.
Marco D'Amico
