BUFFALO — Michael Misa is no stranger to the spotlight, having been accustomed to being the center of attention throughout his young career. However, it was his return to playing center that truly allowed the 18-year-old to confirm his exceptional status and demonstrate his elite potential to the hockey community.
Misa seems older than his years, likely because his name has been prominent for some time. Following in the footsteps of a select few, including John Tavares, Aaron Ekblad, and Connor McDavid, Misa received exceptional player status, permitting him to play in the OHL at just 15 years old.
Before his debut OHL season with the Saginaw Spirit in 2022-23, many anticipated Misa would mirror the trajectory of previous exceptional players and become a top NHL draft selection. While the Oakville, Ontario native displayed his talent in his initial two seasons, his draft ranking didn`t significantly rise during that period.
Surprisingly, even after helping Saginaw win the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2024, Misa did not receive an invitation to Canada`s World Junior Championship selection camp earlier this year.
Given Canada`s quarterfinal elimination at the 2025 WJC, it could be argued the team made questionable roster choices. Meanwhile, Misa consistently demonstrated that any team would be fortunate to have him.
