LOS ANGELES — The San Jose Sharks selected Michael Misa second overall at the 2025 NHL Draft.
Next, the centerman will take a trip to San Jose to participate in the development camp. Misa told reporters he honestly didn’t know where he’d go in Friday night’s draft until the Sharks called his name.
“[It] feels unbelievable. From the second I heard my name called until now, it’s just excitement. I’m really grateful,” Misa said. “I knew there was a chance [to go] one, two, or three. I wasn’t really too sure where I’d end up, but San Jose is a great spot. [I had] no clue until they announced my name. Then it was just excitement.”
Misa also told reporters that he’d been dealing with back spasms but says the injury is behind him. He will participate in next week’s San Jose Sharks development camp.
Misa has played the last two seasons in the OHL with the Saginaw Spirit and was a star in 24-25. In 65 games, the newest Sharks forward had 62 goals and 72 assists. Now he joins the Sharks organization, filled with young talent like Macklin Celebrini and former Saginaw teammate, Igor Chernyshov.
“He’s a heck of a player. Just being able to watch him this year, learn stuff off his game, I’m really excited to meet him in the near future,” Misa said about Celebrini.
“It’s awesome. I had a great connection with [Cherynyshov] in Saginaw, so being able to do the same thing in San Jose in the near future, it’d be pretty cool,” Misa said.
Who does Misa compare to, and what does he need to do to make the Sharks roster?
The San Jose Sharks got a heck of an offensive talent in Michael Misa. Comparisons are immediately drawn to Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares.
Misa told reporters that he’s honored to be compared to the star center and agrees with the assessment.
“That’s pretty incredible. I mean, he’s one heck of a player, so to be able to get compared to him, it’s pretty cool,” Misa said. “I think I play like him in a way, a bit just offensively. His puck protection. His shot. I can see myself relating to him a little bit.”
If Misa turns into a top-six offensive center like Tavares, the San Jose Sharks will be in great shape down the middle.
But what does Misa need to do to achieve his goal of making the NHL out of training camp?
The new Sharks forward knows he needs to work on his conditioning this summer, but said he feels his game needs to prove itself.
“I think that’s kind of for my game to decide. I’ve got to prove myself. I believe when I’m at my best, I’m making guys around me better,” Misa explained. “I think I play with a good offensive ability. So we’ll see what happens.”
Misa knows there’s great weather in San Jose, but he’s very excited to join an up-and-coming core.
“There’s good weather there. I know that they’ve got a great team and a great young core, coming up,” Misa said. “They’re in a little bit of a rebuild situation now, but nothing but good things to say.”
The Sharks don’t currently have a player who wears No. 77, which Misa hopes to wear in the NHL.
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