Michael Misa is one of the newest and most exciting names to crack our Top 25 Under 25 list, and for good reason. The kid is legit. The Sharks selected him in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft, taking him second overall, and right away he became one of the biggest pieces of the team’s rebuild. Before heading to San Jose, Misa absolutely lit up the OHL with the Saginaw Spirit, where he was granted exceptional status at the age of 15 and quickly proved why.
Last season, Misa was a force offensively, putting up big numbers (134 points in 65 games) and showing off his elite hockey sense and playmaking skills. He dominated against older competition in juniors and was one of the most exciting prospects to watch in the entire CHL. This is his first appearance on our Top 25 Under 25 list, but don’t be surprised if he becomes a mainstay here for years to come.
Position: Center
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 183 pounds
Age: 18
Date of Birth: Feb. 16, 2007
Draft Year: 2025 (2nd overall by the San Jose Sharks in 2025)
Shoots: Left
2025-26 Team: San Jose Sharks/Saginaw Spirit
What we like
The first thing that jumps out with Misa is how smooth and dynamic he is with the puck. He’s an incredibly gifted skater. He’s fast, agile, and able to change direction in a way that just leaves defenders flat-footed. That skating ability, combined with his vision, makes him dangerous every time he touches the puck.
Misa is also a pure playmaker. His passing is creative but not careless. He finds seams that most players don’t even think exist. That’s part of what makes him so fun to watch; he’s unpredictable in the best way. Add in a shot that’s starting to come along, and you’ve got a player who can beat you as both a passer and a scorer.
Even though he’s one of the younger players in the system, he plays with a lot of confidence. He doesn’t back down from the big moments and seems to thrive under pressure, which is a great sign for a player who the Sharks hope will be a key part of the team’s future core.
Areas of improvement
As good as Misa is, he’s still young and has a lot of physical development ahead of him. He can be pushed around by bigger players, especially in the corners or in front of the net. Adding muscle and strength will be a huge part of his next couple of years of development. It will also be a key indication of whether he’s slated to play in the NHL or headed back to the OHL this season. His ability to hang with the “big men” is what will determine where he ultimately plays.
There’s also the natural adjustment that comes with going from juniors to pro hockey. He’s going to have to learn to play against men, manage his shifts, and stay effective even when the time and space aren’t as generous as they are in junior. That’ll be a challenge, but one he has the skillset to handle.
Defensively, Misa is still very much a work in progress. He’s so offensively tilted right now that sometimes he can go up the ice a little early, looking for that breakout pass. Improving his defensive awareness and learning to be reliable in all three zones will be key if he wants to stick as a top-six center in the NHL down the line.
What’s next for Misa?
Misa is incredibly smart when it comes to hockey, so we have faith that he’ll adjust quickly to the professional game. The Sharks will, at the very least, give him his nine games with the team before making a decision about him and where he plays this season. We have faith that he’ll stick with the NHL rather than return to the OHL, which is the only other option at this point, given Misa’s age.
If there are issues with Misa’s development, the Sharks have the option of going the Will Smith route. That’s when he has planned development days during the season, and takes certain days off and works with the Sharks’ coaching staff on his game.
If Misa is struggling in November/December, the Sharks could also opt to allow Misa to play for Team Canada at the World Junior Championship in January. That should serve as a confidence booster by allowing him to play against his peers midway through the season.
Highlights
This is the kind of skill that Misa brings to the Sharks:
Say what you will about the defence on this play, but Michael Misa pulls off this type of beautiful play all the time.
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) April 3, 2024
And he just turned 17 in mid-February. pic.twitter.com/OptUxKAkDf
So far, he hasn’t disappointed. Earlier this month, in the rookie tournament, he finished off a two-on-one with Quentin Musty.
Musty to Misa for MORE 😈 pic.twitter.com/c3GYWSFfRA
— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) September 13, 2025
He’s also working on creating chances.
What a pass from Misa to Graf! But better save? pic.twitter.com/hgv9ZkEhvc
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) September 13, 2025
