2. San Jose Sharks — Michael Misa, C, Saginaw (OHL)
NHL Central Scouting: No. 2 (North American skaters)
Misa (6-1, 182) was named the winner of the E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence, presented annually “to the NHL Draft prospect who best exemplifies commitment to excellence through strength of character, competitiveness and athleticism.” He also was named Smartest Player in the Western Conference in the OHL coaches’ poll after becoming the first player in Saginaw history to win the Red Tilson Trophy as the league’s most outstanding player and the Eddie Powers Trophy as the top scorer in the OHL, finishing the regular season with 134 points (62 goals, 72 assists). The Saginaw captain had at least one point in 60 of 65 regular-season games and tied John Tavares (2006-07) for the most points by an OHL player under 18 since 2000 (Misa turned 18 on Feb. 16). His style of play has been compared to that of Nashville Predators center Steven Stamkos. Misa was granted exceptional player status to enter the OHL as a 15-year-old and helped Saginaw win the Memorial Cup in 2023-24. His brother, forward Luke Misa, is 14 months older and was chosen by the Calgary Flames in the fifth round (No. 150) of the 2024 draft. Luke will play for Penn State in 2025-26.
“He’s the type of player that, if there’s a man in a better position for a scoring opportunity and if the proper read is to get the puck to that man, he’ll do it,” Central Scouting’s Nick Smith said of Michael. “And he does it with such quickness and elite hockey sense that it’s just great to watch.”
NHL.com analysis: After selecting Macklin Celebrini with the first pick of the 2024 NHL Draft, Misa gives the Sharks’ center depth an instant boost. The Sharks now will have the option of keeping Will Smith on a line with Celebrini after their chemistry grew throughout the season, or shift Smith to center and have Misa play on the wing, something he did during his first two OHL seasons. The Sharks have averaged 2.37 goals per game the past two seasons, the fewest in the NHL. But now adding Misa to Celebrini, Smith and William Eklund, as well as top prospects Igor Chernyshov (2024, No. 33), Quentin Musty (2023, No. 26) and Kasper Halttunen (2023, No. 36), and it shouldn’t be long before the Sharks turn around their offensive fortunes in a big way.
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