Welcome to your 2025 NHL Entry Draft Headquarters right here at Last Word On Sports and Top Shelf Prospects. We have you covered with everything you will need to be ready for the big event. This year’s draft is set to take place on June 27th and 28th live from the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles California. Today we bring you our Michael Misa Scouting Report. 

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As we continue our series here at Last Word On Hockey of showcasing the best of world of prospects has to offer, we land on an elite talent. That player is none other than Michael Misa. The 2022 exceptional status player was lights out for the Saginaw Spirit this season and has risen up the rankings to a potential first-overall pick in this year’s 2025 NHL Entry Draft. His impressive blend of speed, power, and offensive instincts doesn’t come along every day, making him an extremely valuable asset. Any team looking to add a dynamically offensive forward with a 50-goal upside will be skipping to the podium to call his name in June.

Michael Misa Scouting Report: 2025 NHL Draft #2

Center/Left Wing- Left Shot

Born February 16th, 2007 – Oakville, ON, Canada

Height 6’1 – Weight 185lbs [185cm/84kg]

Offensive Development

Scouts have run out of praise for the season that Micheal Misa has just had. After a solid draft minus one (DY-1) season that saw Misa score 33 goals and 91 points in 89 games en route to Saginaw’s Memorial Cup win, he exploded offensively in this, his draft year. Through his 65 games this season, Misa scored a staggering 62 goals and 134 points. Not only did this lead the entire CHL in points, but it also placed him fifth all-time in OHL U18 points. Ahead of him on the list are the likes of Marc Savard, Dan Quinn, and Eric Lindros. Misa has found himself in good company.

Most points by a U18 skater in OHL history:

• Tony Tanti 150
• Eric Lindros 149
• Dan Quinn 147
• Marc Savard 139
• Michael Misa 134

A near historic campaign from Misa. A worthy 1st overall candidate.

— Cam Robinson (@Hockey_Robinson) March 24, 2025

As we continue our scouting report, despite the near goal-per-game pace Michael Misa achieved this season, he is more naturally a playmaker. With the puck on his stick, Misa constantly scans for options, often manipulating defenders with subtle changes in posture or pace before threading a pass across the slot or into space. His poise and maturity are levels ahead of the competition, allowing him to read plays effortlessly and execute efficiently. He is so meticulous and precise that every action he completes has a purpose. This allows Michael to move the puck quickly and rotate to open ice, creating a breakdown in the defensive structure.

Misa’s special awareness and shotting abilities were the keys to his scoring prowess this season. Once having found open ice and received the puck, Micheal’s shot turns into a weapon. It’s hard, deceptive, and accurate. Misa changes the angle mid-release and gets pucks off quickly, even in-tight. He’s shown the ability to score from range or off rebounds and has developed some crafty finishing moves at the net-front.

Defence and Skating

With Misa, it’s more than just offence. He plays a complete 200-foot game and competes hard at both ends of the ice. Micheal has a wicked motor that never quits, allowing him to forecheck, finish checks, and force turnovers. Structurally, he is sound most of the time, with the occasional breakdown, as most players do. He defends in such a way that allows him to flip to offence quickly and transition the puck up the ice. This season, Misa’s penalty killing responsibility was increased, and while his defensive zone play still has room to grow, the reads he makes at high speed are generally sound. He angles well, times his stick lifts effectively, and supports the puck intelligently on the backcheck.

Most points by a U18 OHLer since 2000:

• Michael Misa: 134 in 65
• John Tavares:134 in 67
• Dylan Strome: 129 in 68
• Mitchell Marner: 126 in 63
• Connor McDavid: 120 in 47

Where does Michael Misa end up this summer? pic.twitter.com/E6wZkL6Sgl

— PuckEmpire (@puckempire) March 24, 2025

Aiding in both defending and scoring is his skating. Misa rivals anyone in this year’s draft class when it comes to edgework, stride, and fluent acceleration. He thrives at using these skills to modify his pace and create space for himself. When defenders try to gap up, he draws them in and slips passes underneath or beats them wide. Once sagged back, he pushes through the middle and drives play deep. When headed in the opposite direction, he effortlessly tracks back, breaking up odd-man rushes and transitioning the other way.

Comparisons and Projections for Michael Misa’s Scouting Report

The two names that come to mind when watching Misa play are Brayden Point (Tampa Bay Lightning) and John Tavares (Toronto Maple Leafs). With Point, you have a high motor, versatile forward with dynamic skating, elite offence, and the ability to excel in critical moments. These are all boxes that Misa checks as well. Then, with Tavares, the comparisons come with the poise and maturity that they both have coursing through their veins.

Michael Misa finished the OHL regular season with a five-point night, giving him 62 goals and 134 points in 65 games.

It tied him with John Tavares for fourth among OHL points in the 21st Century.

No other draft eligible CHLer cracked 100.

Wasn’t invited to Canada’s… pic.twitter.com/KVCTc35Qmn

— Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey) March 24, 2025

Misa is a complete player who can contribute both offence and defence in spades. He projects as a top-line forward who can play in the middle or on the wing and has point-per-game upside. There are so many areas of his game that are far and above his competitors, making him a special player. Nobody would be surprised anyone if Michael Misa’s name was called first in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft this June.

Main Photo Credit: GREG WOHLFORD/ERIE TIMES-NEWS-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images