In the first two installments of this series, I covered a highly-touted member of the upcoming class of 2024 and the currently projected top pick of 2026. It made the most sense, consequently, to fall between those two, and talk about the very likely number 1 overall pick in 2025. His trajectory is about as high as that of Gavin McKenna, given his absurd ability to punch above his weight relative to his age. He also has made history by way of his sheer ability breaking down barriers that are typically placed for minor and junior players in the Canadian ice hockey system. Further, he already has plenty of big-game experience, which may give him some poise that will prove valuable both during his development and his eventual professional career. Let us talk about this stellar left-shooting center from Ontario for a while and make some assessments of his player profile.

The story of Michael Misa is one of a prodigy who has always played above his age. Throughout his minor hockey career, Misa, despite being born in 2007, has been talented and impactful enough to play alongside the 2006 age group and “wanted to go with them” when it was time for them to move up to the OHL. Consequently, this was one of the factors that led Misa to apply for exceptional player status. It is a difficult battle for this status that allows underagers to play in the CHL to be obtained. Prior to Misa, it had only been granted to five OHL players (John Tavares, 2009; Aaron Ekblad, 2011; Connor McDavid, 2012; Sean Day, 2013; Shane Wright, 2019) and only a further two other players in the CHL’s other leagues (Joe Veleno, QMJHL, 2015 and Connor Bedard, WHL, 2020). However, his application was approved, and deservedly so. As noted in the above-linked article, Misa is known to be quite humble and down-to-earth despite his absurd on-ice ability, which cannot be exaggerated. One manifestation of this can be found in an early tournament appearance in the 2017 Brick Invitational, where he scored 18 points in 6 games (a 3 points-per-game pace!) for the Toronto Bulldogs, good for tournament best by six points as he anchored the Bulldogs to the championship victory. In his final season in the Greater Toronto Hockey League, Misa tallied 43 points in 27 games with the Mississauga Senators’ U16 AAA team, good for 11th in the league. Additionally, he led the Senators to a triumph in the OHL Cup U16 AAA on the back of his 10g-10a-20p in 7 games played, which broke Connor McDavid’s record. As effectively pointed out by his head coach in Mississauga, Chris Stevenson, in the Globe and Mail article, he has a veteran’s psychological profile already from playing against older opponents and in big games and raising his game to the occasion which will continue to serve him well. After his status was approved, as was anticipated, Misa went first overall in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, being picked by the Saginaw Spirit.

While his first year included missing a month and a half of action due to a tibia fracture, Misa was outstanding. His 56 points were tied for team-best with 2022 second round pick Matyas Sapovaliv (VGK, 48th overall), while playing in just 45 games to Sapovaliv’s 61 as Saginaw placed 3rd in the Western Division and 4th in the OHL’s Western Conference. In the J. Ross Robertson Cup playoffs, Saginaw defeated their fellow Michiganian club the Flint Firebirds in seven games in the first round before being swept 4-0 by the Sarnia Sting in the conference semifinals. Along the way, Misa posted 8 points in 11 games, making for a solid individual showing despite the disappointing conclusion. However, his regular season numbers are what he truly made an impression with. His scoring pace was good for a point-per-game average of 1.24, which broke John Tavares’ record for productivity by an exceptional status player. Misa was awarded the Emms Family Award for OHL rookie of the year for his efforts. A great year for the youngest player in the league in 2022-23. Further, on the international stage this year (he has represented Canada at different age grades on a few occasions, but this is his most noteworthy performance to date despite being at a tournament not sanctioned by the IIHF), Misa took home a gold medal in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, posting 8 points in 5 games. This was good for 8th in the tournament and 3rd on Team Canada U-18, behind only the WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders’ Ryder Ritchie (a projected top-twenty pick in 2024’s NHL Entry Draft) and tournament leader and a familiar face, Berkly Catton.

Misa has a very encouraging player profile both in terms of ability and character. He also has been carved out very well by playing in many high-pressure situations at many different levels and showing poise beyond his years by remaining calm and even playing better in those situations. He constantly has performed excellently while playing against older talents throughout his entire life. Overall, he has the makings of a future superstar and NHL captain. It makes all the sense in the world that he is considered the likely number one pick for 2025, with meaningful challenges for that spot including a former teammate of his in Mississauga who will get his own installment eventually, as well as a Long Islander from the US NTDP who only just committed to Boston College, a very likely soon next topic. While Misa is the favorite (for many good reasons, as demonstrated here), there is definitely some intriguing competition for the top of 2025’s draft class.