Scouting Report
EVALUATED 07/11/2023
Sam McGilligan
Regional Scout - Ontario
If anyone was to challenge Catton as the top player at the event, it'd be the #1 ranked 2007 on the planet -- Michael Misa. Since being granted exceptional status, Misa has gone on and outplayed nearly everyone he's faced, regardless of their age. He possessed the best toolkit at the event bar none, with a combination of handling and agility that provides endless solutions for solving problems. Michael was the best transitional player in attendance, carving whatever path he wanted through defensive structures for controlled exits and entries. What stood out as his most impressive trait was his short area passing as Misa hit a number of close range passes from seemingly impossible angles without any loss of accuracy or power. When people say a player has it, whatever it may be, they mean that player has whatever energy fuels Michael Misa to be the ever-imposing threat that he is.
Scouting Report
EVALUATED 07/11/2023 Sam McGilligan
Regional Scout - Ontario
If anyone was to challenge Catton as the top player at the event, it'd be the #1 ranked 2007 on the planet -- Michael Misa. Since being granted exceptional status, Misa has gone on and outplayed nearly everyone he's faced, regardless of their age. He possessed the best toolkit at the event bar none, with a combination of handling and agility that provides endless solutions for solving problems. Michael was the best transitional player in attendance, carving whatever path he wanted through defensive structures for controlled exits and entries. What stood out as his most impressive trait was his short area passing as Misa hit a number of close range passes from seemingly impossible angles without any loss of accuracy or power. When people say a player has it, whatever it may be, they mean that player has whatever energy fuels Michael Misa to be the ever-imposing threat that he is.
Game Reports
EVALUATED Sam McGilligan
Regional Scout - Ontario
The details in Michael Misa’s game continue to amaze me with every viewing, from how perfect every off-puck route is to how well he controls receptions without breaking stride. There were quite a few moments where it felt like Misa could blow the defense open by simply stickhandling through multiple defensive layers, and we all know he has the ability to do so, but instead Misa worked with his line on give-and-go sequences to plague the Czechian defense with hesitation. I felt like he earned a lot more minutes than he was given considering how rare his abilities are, but he still found himself on the stat sheet due to a smoothly executed goal off a 2-on-1 rush.
Game Reports
EVALUATED Sam McGilligan
Regional Scout - Ontario
Another great game to follow up Saturday’s preseason performance against Czechia, despite the lack of points once again. It’s quite strange for someone who is very clearly one of, if not arguably the best player on a team to play so well and be so unfortunate in terms of production. Nevertheless, Misa spent nearly every shift doing everything he could to drive play -- gaining numerous controlled entries, bypassing multiple defensive layers and getting the puck into space, pressuring defenders in the offensive zone to force turnovers and creating dangerous chances. Quite the performance from the top ranked 2007.
Game Reports
EVALUATED Sam McGilligan
Regional Scout - Ontario
Like Catton, Misa has also remained a standout in nearly every contest. Michael’s dynamism oozes out with every touch of the puck, often able to mislead his intentions to multiple defenders at once to open space for his linemates to work in. He doesn’t break stride to do any action on the ice, whether it’s receive a pass, distribute the puck, take a shot or execute some of the flashiest stickhandling you could ever expect from a 2007 attending this tournament. He can do all of these plays while coming out of sharp turns, making him a threat to escape any situation at nearly any given time.
Game Reports
EVALUATED Sam McGilligan
Regional Scout - Ontario
I’m unsure as to why Misa and Catton were split, but Misa still put together a fantastic game even if he didn’t finish with a point. Michael is the best transitional player at the tournament, period, and has an ever-growing argument for the best small area player as well. He is as close to a guarantee as you can find for a controlled entry on the powerplay, while also having all the talent required to run one himself as his shooting, passing & carrying abilities are all world class. It’s rare to find a player like this, who can seemingly rip multiple defensive layers apart on a moment’s notice.
Game Reports
EVALUATED
Alex Annun
Regional Scout - USA
Misa played this game with pace and tenacity and looked good on the puck when he had possession. He used his body to protect the puck well as he tried to drive to the net and skate around the American defenders. His assist on Martone’s second goal was very nice and he looked dynamic handling the puck in that play. His skill on the puck is not something that can be overlooked and he is so tricky in tight to keep the puck away from the active sticks of the defense and create space for himself. The top line was clicking and Misa was doing his best to ensure it stayed that way, he forechecked well at times but the US did a good job working through the pressure and passing their way out.
Game Reports
EVALUATEDSam McGilligan
Regional Scout - Canada
I actively tried to not write about Misa again for this one unless a point was scored but I just… couldn’t. The Mississauga local is so dynamic with the puck and so intelligent with his decision making that good things constantly happened every time he had to make a play. He forms chemistry with the best players on this team like it’s nothing, likely because he thinks the game on such a high wavelength that other star players love to trust him with the puck knowing they’ll be getting it back. Part of what makes Misa so effective is the subtlety he has when making passes in-motion. It’s so hard to tell what his target is as his body language is threatening multiple options at once and he doesn’t need to look towards his target to be able to nail a perfect pass. He has been on the ice for multiple goals and been involved in the lead-up to the scoring, just not enough to earn the assist. Make no mistake though, a lot of these goals likely don’t happen without Misa’s contributions.
Game Reports
EVALUATEDSam McGilligan
Regional Scout - Canada
Unlike most players at this event, I’ve been familiar with Misa’s game for a while now. He has everything you’d expect from a player worthy of CHL Exceptional Status — extremely high end puck skills, explosivity, lateral agility, shooting mechanics and sense for the game. While Michael didn’t score in this particular game, he was still one of the most consistent players that constantly achieved small victories that drove play for Canada Red all over the ice. His ability to understand the layers of defensive pressure coming towards him and break them down one by one is simply sensational. He really feels like an NHL star in the making.
Game Reports
EVALUATED
Joel Henderson
Director of Scouting
His giftings come by adaptation and puck protection while gaining entry. He has the core strength and control to pull, evade pressure, and facilitate pucks into the slot after driving wide. Michael works so well in tandem with Catton because they both have a strength on the puck and a control that is tough to be pushed off of. They drove possession for Canada Red with a consistent ferocity and there really isn’t any reason I’d see to separate the two for the rest of the tournament.
Game Reports
EVALUATED Alex Annun
Regional Scout - USA
Misa was easily one of the best players on the ice in this contest and he came out ready to play from the opening puck drop lined up on the top line for Red. He was constantly buzzing in the offensive end and he did a really nice job finding seams in the defense and getting on the end of the passes threaded through them resulting in some high quality chances nice and early on. He was passing and moving well around the zone and appeared to have struck some great chemistry with Berkly Catton early on as the duo dominated the puck when they were on the ice. His ability to possess the puck and prevent the defenders’ sticks from dislodging the puck from him was good, and he used his agility along the boards well to spin away from pressure and accelerate away into space. He tallied a goal off a dish from Catton where he neatly beat Cloutier and capped off a good 3 on 2 movement for his team.
Game Reports
EVALUATED Chase Allen
Regional Scout - Ontario
Michael Misa once again showed off a tremendous skillset and high talent level for Team Blue. Getting a couple shots off his snappy release with pinpoint accuracy was on display once again, hitting posts and challenging the goalie. When he was skating up the ice with the puck it was evident, he’s a special player, quick hands and feet that work together let him make strong lateral movements whilst going forward as he attacks the offensive blueline. His defensive commitment was on display as well, using his speed on the backcheck and covering his man appropriately.
Game Reports
EVALUATED Chase Allen
Regional Scout - USA
The recently granted exceptional status player, Michael Misa was great for Team Blue in this game, showing off a little bit of what makes him so exceptional. He hit the post early in the game with a quick release that both the goalie and defenseman didn’t see coming, he has a shot that is probably underrated relative to the rest of his game – as it has great power and even better accuracy. His work in offensive transition was prominent, his quick feet and powerful lateral crossovers let him gain speed through the neutral zone as he attacked defenders head on with quick hands and even quicker forward momentum. Despite the short and compact nature of the game, Misa’s skill was on full display.
Game Reports
EVALUATED Mike Kennedy
Regional Scout - Ontario
Misa owns impressive speed and agility to beat defenders. He is light on his skates and very strong on the puck. He finds the open ice and creates all kinds of havoc in the o-zone. His puck skills, great shot and willingness to enter the scoring areas allow him to thrive. An underaged player who fits right in playing a year up. It is not surprising to hear his name discussed in the CHL exceptional status conversation.
Game Reports
EVALUATED Chase Allen
Regional Scout - USA
Another player who has recently applied for exceptional player status in the OHL, Michael Misa is the second 2007-born skater in this game and showed he can keep up with the older age group no problem as he’s shown all season long. Starting from the defensive zone out, Misa was exceptional at defensive coverage during this game, always on a man and assuring the high danger areas of the ice were hard checked and covered properly. When in pursuit of the puck he was willing to engage physically, knocking the puck loose and beating the opposition to the loose puck. Accruing a few blocked shots and interceptions Misa was an excellent defensive presence. Where Misa shines best is his ability with the puck on his stick when contributing offense; he showed great speed and acceleration through the neutral zone, showing great improvement in that regard since the season began. His speed was able to push defenders back, opening up space which is something Misa should never be given due to the nature of his elite playmaking game. The puck skills and vision Misa brings to the table in the offensive zone is something many players cannot; he completed many impressive deft and cross-ice passes that got the defense of Team White moving, all at the same time remaining as a deadly scoring threat with a pinpoint accurate wrister he threatened a few times. Out of all the players in this game, it is not too far a stretch to say Michael Misa may have the highest ceiling.
Game Reports
EVALUATED
Brayden Olafson
Regional Scout - Eastern Canada
In my opinion, there was only one player in this game who held a light to Michael Misa’s skating, and that was the aforementioned Kevin He. Misa by far had what I would call the best separation speed of any player in this game. His familiarity and chemistry with Will Moore and Riley Patterson enabled him to create skilled, and sleuth plays while entering the zone in transition. I found Misa’s positioning away from the puck to be optimal for extending the play when his linemates were able to get the puck to him, and he was often equally as available to make that happen. His opportunity for growth and development around his excellent foundational skill set is very exciting.
Player Card
- All Data is derived via 5v5 per 60 minutes rate displayed in percentile format.
- Data Courtesy of In Slat.
SIGNED:
Saginaw Spirit
05/05/2022
LEAGUE PREDICTION
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CHL
Confirmed
100%
TEAM PREDICTION
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Saginaw Spirit
Confirmed
100%
TIMELINE
- 2022
01/05/2022
Saginaw Spirit sign Michael Misa
- 2022
30/04/2022
Saginaw Spirit select Michael Misa in the OHL Priority Selection
- 2022
14/04/2022
Michael Misa is granted Exceptional status into the OHL
