2025 NHL Draft star Michael Misa ready to shine at Memorial Cup

He caught everyone’s eye as a 15-year-old, but he’s hoping to be even more exceptional in North America’s top junior hockey tournament.

Michael Misa, considered to be one of the top 2025 NHL Draft-eligible prospects, is set to help lead the Saginaw Spirits on home ice at the 2024 Memorial Cup, which kicks off Friday night.

One of the primary reasons Saginaw won the bid to host the event is because of Misa because of his high-end status and his ability, which has been crucial in growing the Spirit into a contender.

“It’s really an exciting time here,” Misa said. “Especially for these fans that have been rooting for us all year. Obviously, it’s a huge event and we’re going to try and make them proud.”

The Oakville, Ontario native gained international attention in 2022 after leading his Mississauga Senators to the OHL Cup. He earned MVP honors thanks to scoring 20 points in seven games. His efforts persuaded the Ontario Hockey League to grant Misa exceptional status to enter the league, making him the sixth player in league history to be given the opportunity.

In Misa’s rookie campaign in 2022-23, he led all rookies with 56 points in 45 games, finishing tied for second on Saginaw’s roster. He was awarded the Emms Family Award as the OHL Rookie of the Year, and was named to the CHL All-Rookie Team.

His production continued to rise this season, where Misa finished third on the Spirit with 29 goals and 75 points in 67 games. During Saginaw’s run to the Western Conference final, he notched four goals and 11 points in 17 games.

Misa admitted that, given his exceptional status, there was extra pressure during his rookie campaign. In his sophomore season, he has done a better job of blocking the outside noise and focusing on his game.

“[Things] calmed down a lot, just focus on the game of hockey and not the outside world. Obviously, having older guys on the team has helped me along the way…it’s great to learn off of them and continue doing what I’m doing.”

The Spirit hasn’t had to rely on Misa as their only offensive weapon this year, as the team acquired players like Montreal Canadiens draft pick Owen Beck and Anaheim Ducks prospect Rodwin Dionicio.

“It’s great having all the pieces we brought in from different teams, really shows our depth. Every time we played a game, you never knew who was going to score a goal. It’s great to have a team with so many good players.”

Beck was on the Peterborough Petes team that lost in the semifinals last year to the Seattle Thunderbirds. He and Jorian Donovan, who was on the Hamilton Bulldogs who were runner-ups in 2022, bring in the necessary experience for a Spirit team that is making its first Memorial Cup appearance in franchise history.

“A lot of us have talked to [Beck] about it, and his experience with it…Just getting feedback off them, anything to help us going into this Memorial Cup, is awesome for us.”

Of the eight players to have been granted exceptional status in the CHL – which includes the likes of Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid, Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares and Chicago Blackhawks star Connor Bedard – Misa will be just the third player to participate in the Memorial Cup. Former Windsor Spitfire Sean Day and current Detroit Red Wing Joe Veleno both played in the tournament, too.

Even though he has had a year to shake off the exceptional status jitters, Misa admits there is some pressure on him heading into the tournament. Yet, he is still trying to push it aside.

“I try not to worry about the pressure. I know that’s obviously a big part of it. All I can control is what I do on the ice. So, that’s what my mindset each game is, having fun and doing what I can to help my team.”

Despite getting a chance to show off his talents on the big stage, Misa is staying humble, focusing on what he can do to help the Spirit win the franchise’s first Memorial Cup.

“It’s an exciting time, but I’m not really focused on myself. I want our team to win, and that’s what we’re going to try to do. I think we have the team to do it. There’s no doubt that we’re going to give it our all out there, and come away with the Memorial Cup.”

Though he stated that simply playing in the tournament would be memorable, Misa assured winning the Memorial Cup would be an achievement he would never forget.

“It’s going to definitely be a moment to look back on if we can come out on top,” Misa said. “Twenty years from now, it’s just something you want to look back on with a smile on your face.”

Misa and the Spirit kick off the tournament on Friday night against the WHL champions, the Moose Jaw Warriors.