Michael Misa Scouting Report: Does He Deserve To Go First Overall?

Michael Misa Scouting Report: Does He Deserve To Go First Overall?

Michael Misa of the Saginaw Spirit is a top eligible prospect for the 2025 NHL draft. Michael was granted exceptional status to play in the OHL earlier than his peers, which brought heavy expectations. Misa has proven over the years that he could be an elite forward at the NHL level, but hasn’t cemented a first overall pick in 2025, a feat almost expected with exceptional status players.

However, this may all change soon. Michael has gotten off to an unbelievable start in the OHL, currently at 17 goals in just 13 games, adding 9 assists. He is first in the OHL in both points and goals, and would also lead the WHL and QMJHL in points. This strong start, paired with current first overall favorite James Hagens having a solid but not stellar start, could catapult Misa into the first overall favorite. But why is Michael doing so well to start the season? What has he done well compared to last year? I’ve poured through hours of footage to try to find the answer.

I want to start by talking about Michael’s already established strengths.

His shot - Lightning quick

Misa utilizes a quick release and powerful snapshot. To get power into the shot, you will often see him drop to a knee to leverage more power into his release. He usually uses the snapshot off of a deke, or quickly after a pass. Leading into my next point, his shot is most effective close to the net. Overall, his shot is extremely impressive, super quick and powerful, and accurate.

Nose for the net

Coaches always say to go to the net with your stick on the ice. Why? Because it works, and Michael proves this. Nearly every single goal I watched Misa score was below the faceoff circle hash marks in the offensive zone. As previously mentioned, he uses his quick and powerful release close to the net. He pushes defenders deep into their zone, and just before they reach him Michael fires one behind their goalie.

Misa also has great hands, with great hand-eye coordination. I have witnessed him tip a multitude of goals into the net from inside or just outside the crease. Michael uses his body at the last moment to keep defenders away from his stick, and firmly holds his ground to redirect passes into the goal. He is extremely smart, and not afraid to be in front of the net, a valuable trait in hockey today.

Additionally, Misa always tries to find himself open at the sides of the goal. If he isn’t fighting in front of the net, he’s floating near the goal line, 10 feet away from the goal, trying to get himself into open passing lanes for a one-timer. I have watched him score many goals at impossible angles beside the goal. His ability to score from anywhere around the net is impressive.

Overall, he is an extremely smart player and loves to work near the goal. He is lethal when close to the goalie, and uses a quick and deceptive release, paired with positioning, to punish defenses.

Calm and collected

From footage prior to this year, it seems Michael plays the game at a very slow speed compared to other high level prospects I’ve seen. He is not a very fast skater, instead, he is great at changing directions and weaving through defenders. Misa keeps his head up and surveys the zone before gliding to defenders, pulling them to him, and passing to a teammate that is open because of the space Michael created. If he runs out of space, Michael can pull off an impressive loose puck deke and get around a player, while making it look easy.

It's not all sunshine and rainbows

While Misa is a great offensive forward, his defense leaves more to be desired. I witnessed him get lazy and leave his check wide open for an overtime goal against Windsor, and then get lost helping the defenseman deep in the zone, leaving a man wide open for a goal against Sarnia. From the little defensive footage I have gathered from him, it seems he needs to work on his defensive positioning and awareness. On the flipside, I have also seen Misa make many quick, unexpected, stick lifts, where Michael steals the puck and starts a rush.

I wish it was possible to further examine his defensive game, but unfortunately I do not have access to such footage. Based on what I’ve seen, I think it would be better for Misa to play wing primarily at the next level, although Michael’s 50%+ faceoff percentage suggests I should give him time to prove his defensive game.

What changed?

The most obvious attribute that has contributed to his performance to me is his skating. Michael seems to be a much faster skater, and much more confident with the puck. More than before, he leads offensive possessions with speed into the zone, and holds on to the puck. I also have noticed he is trying to drive to the net with more speed from further distances than before, such as from the blue line, rather than passing the puck off before he gets too deep into the zone. Misa is still a problem for defenses near the net. He finds space like he always has, and the puck is off his stick and into the back of the net before you can blink. He is going to be a real problem for opposing teams this year.

Overall

I believe Michael’s game is very translatable to the NHL. His ability to find space near the goal, be strong and confident in front of the net, and score by any means necessary, such as utilizing a lightning-quick release, is a taste of old-school hockey. This is surprising because his size does not suggest he would thrive near the net, but he makes up for it with great poise and silky hands. If Misa continues to improve and build on what I’ve seen, I see no reason why he isn’t in the conversation for first overall until draft day. James Hagens still has the advantage, but I feel it is slipping away.