At just eighteen years old, forward Michael Misa was a first round second pick by the San Jose Sharks (SJS) in the 2025 NHL draft. He just signed a three-year, $2.925 million entry level contract on September 10th, with a $975,000 annual cap hit and an average annual value (AAV) of $975,000 with the SJS. “Michael is a gifted player and a hard worker who we are excited to bring into our organization,” said Sharks General Manager Mike Grier. “We are looking forward to his continued development as part of our group.”
Going straight to the pros with the Sharks, Misa debuted at the SAP Center during the Sharks’s first preseason game yesterday September 21 against the Vegas Golden Knights on a line with Quinton Musty. “He had a lot of fun out there… overall it was a great experience”. Worried about the pace and physicality of the game earlier in the week, Misa reassured concerned Sharks fans, “as the game went on [he] got more comfortable” but that “it’s going to have to be something [he’s] going to have to get used to.” He also said faceoff works is going to become his daily routine after practice. Not having yet played with the dynamic duo of Will Smith and Macklin Celebrini, he felt “[the team] played with an identity. We got in their zone, got pucks on net quick.” While not quite having the same dynamic as a season game, Misa approves of his first preseason game as a good first game for him.
“After my first shift it kind of clocked me like this is happening and you know it was a great feeling out there so um you know I’m happy I played today.” – Michael Misa
The Sharks won that game 3-0 but we’ve yet to see Misa’s full potential and talent at the NHL level. Will he have more time on the ice than the star studded Will Smith and Macklin Celebrini? How will he adjust from the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) to the NHL? When will he score his first NHL goal? What kind of player is he? Will he become part of a trio with Will and Mack? How will they get along? What can we expect from him and what will he add an already hungry Shark tank? Will Misa become as prized a player as Smith and Celebrini? These are all questions Shark fans have anxiously on their minds.
For now, we can probably expect scary good flashes of brilliance from Misa this season. The hunt is just beginning for Misa as he begins his NHL career on a promising Sharks team.
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