VANCOUVER — It’s only a small sample size, but San Jose Sharks rookie Michael Misa has played his best hockey since returning from the 2026 IIHF World Juniors.

Although the 2025 NHL Draft No. 2 pick has three assists in six games, more parts of a complete game are showing. Misa is currently on the Sharks’ third line with William Eklund and Adam Gaudette.

Gaudette has noticed the 18-year-old’s confidence doesn’t live and die by his offensive production. While any NHL player values their offensive output, Misa takes pride in doing every aspect the right way.

“What I find great about him is he’s not just out there looking for points. He’s doing the little things right in the D zone and playing a solid defensive game. Being in the right spots when he doesn’t have the puck,” Gaudette said. “It’s been great playing with him; it makes it easy on me. He controls the game, he holds on to the puck, especially with Ecky.”

But Misa’s linemates aren’t the only ones who notice the uptick in play. San Jose Sharks No. 1 center Macklin Celebrini was in Misa’s position last season. He knows that coming into the NHL is hard.

“I think a couple of us were blown away by his skating and his speed,” Celebrini said. “With his brain and how smart he is and his hands, I think he’s really dangerous when he gets speed.”

Sharks GM Mike Grier explained why keeping Misa in the NHL was the right move for development. Although he struggled at first, he’s beginning to figure out what it takes to play at the top.

“He doesn’t cheat the game, and he’s not cheating a few steps for offense. He’s in the right spots defensively, and he’s really harping on that,” Gaudette said. “I think he realized at a young age that you need to play both sides of the puck in this league, or you’re not going to last very long. That’s hard for a lot of young guys to wrap their heads around coming into this league.

Seeing him catch on quick like that is really promising. It’s just gonna open up a lot of doors for him in the future. He’s going to be able to stay in this league a long time if he keeps progressing the way he does.”

Misa is averaging 11:14 time on ice per game, but has played over 12 minutes in three of the last four San Jose Sharks games. He’s sneaky good at face-offs (51.8%), which is rare for a player who has 13 NHL games. Although goals aren’t what Misa is searching for, his play-driving confidence will get him to places where he can shoot the puck more. The rookie has 18 shots in 13 games.