Michael Misa

Michael Misa (born February 16, 2007) is a Canadian junior ice hockey forward and captain for the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He is considered a top prospect eligible for the 2025 NHL entry draft.

Playing career

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

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. A few weeks later, he was selected first overall at the 2022 OHL draft by the Saginaw Spirit. In his OHL debut on October 1, 2022, a 10–6 victory over the Guelph Storm, he recorded two goals. 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. Misa would go on to win the Emms Family Award as OHL rookie of the year.

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. 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. 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. The Spirit reached the championship game, a rematch with the London Knights, and defeated them to claim the franchise's first Memorial Cup.

In January 2025, Misa was named the 26th captain in Saginaw history. 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. 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. As well, he was named scholastic player of the year, and a First Team All-Star. 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.

International play

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

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Bold indicates led league

International

Awards and honours

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Misa, Michael
2007 births
Living people
21st-century Canadian sportsmen
Canadian Hockey League exceptional status players
Canadian ice hockey forwards
Saginaw Spirit players