On July 27, the San Jose Sharks selected Saginaw Spirit forward Michael Misa with the second overall pick at the 2025 NHL Draft.
Not going as far as to say the 18-year-old was playing on easy mode in his draft-eligible season, but it sure looked that way, racking up 134 points (62 goals, 72 assists) in 65 games.
Over his three OHL seasons, Misa has just been dominant. Which is why, when he said that New York Islanders prospect Matthew Maggio was the best hockey player he's ever played against, that statement should hold tremendous weight.
NHL (@NHL) on XThe ultimate compliment! 💪 #NHLYoungStarsWeek
"He's nasty. He's a really special player," Maggio said about Misa at Islanders development camp. "He has a really good hockey IQ with an unreal skillset. He dictates the game."
Maggio, who played three seasons for the Windsor Spitfires (2019-2023), played against Misa during the 2022-23 campaign. That's the year that Maggio put up video game-like numbers, recording 111 points (54 goals, 57 assists), the season after the Islanders selected him in the fifth round (No. 142) of the 2022 NHL Draft.
The 22-year-old is about to begin his third full professional season with the hope that Bridgeport Islanders head coach Rocky Thompson can help take his game, and so many other prospects' games, to the next level after a year or so of stagnant growth in what was a not-so-ideal situation for development the last few seasons.
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PHOTO: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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