High-flying Misa Racking Up Huge Numbers to Start Spirit Season

Stardom certainly hasn’t fazed Michael Misa.

When asked if he knew there was a Michael Misa Wikipedia Page, he simply chuckled and said, “I didn’t know that. I guess there probably is since there’s been quite a few articles written about me through the years.”

Fame came early and often for the Oakville, Ontario, Canada, native, now in his third season as a Saginaw Spirit player. He began playing hockey at the tender age of four and also played lacrosse and golf while growing up.

In 2005, Hockey Canada and USA worked in unison to adapt a rule to allow exceptional underage players (15-years-old) to apply for exceptional status into the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection Draft. In 19 seasons since, approximately 5,800 student-athletes have been drafted into the OHL.

Since the exceptional status rule was created in 2005, there have been nine players in CHL history who have been granted exceptional player status: John Tavares (2005; Oshawa Generals/London Knights), Aaron Ekblad (2011; Barrie Colts), Connor McDavid (2012; Erie Otters), Sean Day (2013; Mississauga Steelheads/Windsor Spitfires/Kingston Frontenacs), Joe Veleno (2015; Saint John Sea Dogs/Drummondville Voltigeurs), Shane Wright (2019; Kingston Frontenacs/Windsor Spitfires), Connor Bedard (2020; Regina Pats), and Misa (2022; Saginaw Spirit).

And this year Landon DuPont became just the ninth exceptional status icer.

The Spirit took Misa with the first pick in the 2022 OHL Draft. That’s the same year he played – and excelled – in the prestigious OHL Showcase Cup (OHL Cup) where he tallied a whopping 20 points in just seven games, eclipsing McDavid’s tournament record for points.

“That was a fun year getting to play in and winning the OHL Cup,” said Misa.

In his first season (2022-23), the 6-1 ½, 185-pound left winger played in 45 games and racked up 22 goals and 34 assists for 56 points – earning the prestigious Emms Family Award, presented annually to the rookie of the year in the OHL. Previous winners include a litany of National Hockey League stars such as Wayne Gretzky, Rick Nash, Tavares, McDavid, Patrick Kane, Joe Thornton, and Pat Verbeek.

“There’s no question, there’s some real popular players on that list,” said Misa. “I’m trying to follow in their footsteps. It was a huge honor to win that award.”

Misa followed up his rookie year with 75 points (29 goals, 46 assists) in 67 games during the 2023-24 Memorial Cup championship season. When it was his turn to take the Memorial Cup, he brought it to his hometown where he and his family hosted a party for about 100 people.

“That was a lot of fun because a lot of friends and family were there,” Misa said. “After that, I took it Vaughan (Ontario) to Alex Christopoulos, who doesn’t live far from me. I really enjoyed handing it off to Alex because he was an over-ager playing for us for the last time.”

This season has seen an explosive Misa. In the first 22 games he has 23 goals and 20 assists for 43 points. Earlier this season he was named the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording seven goals along with an assist for eight points over a three-game period.

“It isn’t just me,” explained the 17-year-old Misa. “A lot of credit goes to my linemates,” he said, ticking off the names of Kristian Epperson, Nic Sima and Calem Mangone. They work hard getting me the puck. I just go out there and play my game.”

Spirit owner Richard J. Garber Jr. said the organization knew what they were getting when they drafted Misa. “He is an exceptional hockey player. He’s a proven winner and an even better person.”

President/Managing Partner Craig Goslin echoed Garber’s observation of Misa. “He is as exceptional as a human being as he is a hockey player.  He is one of the finest young men that you could ever meet. Humble, kind, a hard worker and an excellent teammate. We are very proud to have #77 as a leader on our team. He will be on an NHL top line in the near future.” 

“He has proven in the past two seasons that a correct decision was made (as an exceptional status) as his stats are in the same hemisphere as both Tavares and McDavid comparing the same number of games played. Misa also was a significant ingredient to winning a Memorial Cup as he and Sean Day (Windsor) are the only exceptional status OHL players to ever win a Memorial Cup.”

And a second Memorial Cup would be fine and dandy, noted Misa.

“Winning an OHL championship would be cool,” said Misa. “Trying to stay healthy for an entire season and get back to the Memorial Cup would also be cool.”

Fast Five with Michael Misa

Your Favorite Food: Steak

Your Favorite Professional Athlete: Lamar Jackson and Mitch Varner

Your Favorite College Football Team: Notre Dame. I have an uncle that’s a diehard Notre Dame fan and he got me hooked.

What do you enjoy doing on your day off?: Relaxing and just hanging out with the guys.

If you could own any vehicle in the world, what would it be?: A nice Range Rover. A black Range Rover.