Michael Misa showed plenty of promise in his rookie season.<\/p>\n
The San Jose Sharks\u2019 2025 No. 2 pick is ready to show a lot more than that next year.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo one\u2019s really seen even the real me yet,\u201d Misa said in his exit interview on Saturday. \u201cI think next year\u2019s a big year for me, and obviously this summer ahead of me is huge.\u201d<\/p>\n
Misa discussed his summer plans, growing friendship with fellow San Jose Sharks rookie Sam Dickinson, Igor Chernyshov\u2019s success, and living with Tyler and Cat Toffoli next year.<\/p>\n
Misa, on how the season went from his perspective:<\/p>\n
It definitely flew by, like you said, with everything that was kind of going on with my year. I definitely learned a lot this year. We were right there, and it kind of, I think, shows how special the group we have is and for years to come. I\u2019m already just looking forward to next year.<\/p>\n
Misa, on getting closer with Sam Dickinson:<\/p>\n
It was great. I grew up playing against him, and then we became friends really quickly. We both got drafted here\u2014obviously, him a year early\u2014since being here with him this year, it\u2019s been great having someone like that same age as me by my side. It\u2019s funny, we just did a podcast together too, so it\u2019s funny how quickly we\u2019ve become close friends. It\u2019s great.<\/p>\n
Misa, on how being teammates with Macklin Celebrini has made an impact on him:<\/p>\n
I mean, I think he affected everyone, not just me, but I think you see his work ethic and how determined he is. It pushes you to want to be a better player and just work as hard as he does. He\u2019s the leader of this team, and we\u2019re very lucky to have him.<\/p>\n
Misa, on becoming a three-zone player:<\/p>\n
It was definitely something that I\u2019ve been working on throughout this year. I think by the last 10 or 5 games there, I\u2019ve definitely felt like I was starting to play well, produce, and kind of feel like myself again. I think it all kind of came from practice.<\/p>\n
I think I just kind of took trust in the staff and me being able to go out there and play my game. And I think, to be honest, no one\u2019s really seen even the real me yet. I think next year\u2019s a big year for me, and obviously this summer ahead of me is huge, so I\u2019m looking forward to both.<\/p>\n
Misa, on what he learned from other defensive forwards on the team:<\/p>\n
Like you said, Mack and Wenny, they\u2019re both great for me the whole year, giving me tips, watching video of them. It made my job easier.<\/p>\n
Misa, on getting to play as the San Jose Sharks\u2019 2C in the season finale:<\/p>\n
I mean, maybe just my line mates\u2014I hadn\u2019t played with Eky and Woody in a bit there. It felt good to get back with them. I think we gel well together. In terms of anything different, no, I mean, it was kind of just another game. I\u2019m glad we closed it off on a win.<\/p>\n
Misa, on his summer workout plan:<\/p>\n
I talked with them and, yeah, we got a good plan for me this summer. Definitely get a little stronger\u2014in corners, especially. It\u2019s a big boy league out there, so corners, it\u2019s probably the biggest thing I want to work on this summer, is just holding on to pucks. In general, I think we got a good plan for me.<\/p>\n
Misa, on how the season has shaped his view of the league:<\/p>\n
Like you said, it\u2019s the best league in the world. You got to take care every day, you got to come to work, and just be ready to be ready to play every time you\u2019re on the ice.<\/p>\n
Misa, on seeing Igor Chernyshov\u2019s success in his first year:<\/p>\n
He\u2019s great. We played together there in Saginaw, and coming here together, it\u2019s been cool to kind of have someone that you know. I\u2019m really happy for him and his success, and he\u2019s going to be a big part of this team next year.<\/p>\n
I think you know how he dominated the OHL. It\u2019s only a matter of time before he was going to come to this league and do the same. He\u2019s one heck of a player.<\/p>\n
Misa, on World Championships and other summer plans:<\/p>\n
I was thinking about going to the F1 race in Montreal in May at the end. That\u2019ll be fun, I\u2019ve always wanted to go to an F1 event. I\u2019m looking forward to that and some downtime with the family. Honestly, getting to see them will be nice.<\/p>\n
To be clear, Misa wasn\u2019t saying that he\u2019s choosing F1 over Worlds.<\/p>\n
I believe he\u2019d be thrilled to play at Worlds.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ll see if he gets invited: https:\/\/t.co\/nkiCfOl7kz<\/a><\/p>\n