Hockey is back as the San Jose Sharks are set to host the 2026 Rookie Faceoff, which includes some of the top players in the organization.

Michael Misa will play for the Sharks this weekend. Adding the 2025 NHL Draft 2nd overall pick to the roster is a bit of a surprise move. Misa is excited to play, even if it is against fellow young players.

“It’s great. I mean, [you] get games right away. Go into main camp feeling good,” Misa said after practice on Friday. “These skates out there too-they’re kind of just like training camp skates. Any way to get better like that, it’s great.”

Misa sported new skates during Friday’s practice: the CCM Vizions. Although a change like that might seem subtle, the centerman told SHD he feels very comfortable in them and is excited to play in the NHL with them. That isn’t the only change Misa made this summer. The San Jose Sharks center told reporters he’s gained roughly nine pounds of muscle.

“I gained just under 10, like nine pounds,” Misa said. “I feel good; I won’t play at the weight I’m at right now. Probably drop a couple pounds, but yeah, feel good.”

Michael Misa is in the CCM Vizion skates this season. Says they are really comfortable. Couple of other #SJSharks young guys in them as well.

— Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) September 11, 2026

Over the summer, Misa trained with star Macklin Celebrini in Vancouver. While he didn’t think he was on the ice for 17 hours in a week like 2026 first-overall pick Gavin McKenna said he was, Misa valued the time.

“I don’t know if it was 17 hours because we only stayed from Monday to Saturday, but it was a couple skates a day,” Misa said. “I know Gav was out there longer, so it might have been the next week he did that with Gav. Like I said, they’re long days, but fun. Training out there with Mack and all the other NHL guys. It was a good experience.”

Misa also did the famous Grouse Grind climb in Vancouver. Although he didn’t do it with Celebrini, he did with Sam Dickinson.

“One of the toughest things that I ever did, to be honest,” Misa said. “We finished at the exact same time, which was nice.”

San Jose Sharks prospect Carson Wetsch told Sheng Peng that a good time to finish is under 50 minutes. Wetsch, a VAN native, finished in 42 minutes this summer. Celebrini, who Wetsch says runs up the hill, completed it in 38 minutes.

What does Misa playing at Rookie Faceoff really do for him?

Michael Misa has a chance to play an elevated role for the San Jose Sharks in his second NHL season. San Jose Barracuda coach John McCarthy will be behind the bench over the weekend and shared why it is good to have Misa there.

“That’s for the management, I would say. They felt like they should play, and I think it’s good,” McCarthy said of Misa and Igor Chernyshov. “I think the guys like it. It gives you an extra couple of games to get your legs under you. I personally like it from a coaching standpoint. It gets me back in the groove.”

Misa skated between Ivar Stenberg and Igor Chernyshov at practice on Friday, making what could be a very exciting line to watch.

Misa echoed similar thoughts as to why he is excited to play in a game. But he also talked about what his expectations are for training camp.

“It’s going to be tough, fast pace. I think everyone’s looking forward to it,” Misa said. “For me, just take it day by day, and you know, go out there and just, you know, keep working like I’ve been doing.”

After a strong finish to his rookie season, the Sharks center could be the second center on the depth chart. For him, a good start to the season would be a team win.

“Winning the first game would be nice,” Misa said. “Obviously, home opener, and yeah, I think that the biggest thing is getting the win in the first game.”