Future Considerations: OHL 'exceptional' player Michael Misa models game after Mitch Marner

When a player files for “Exceptional Status” to enter the Canadian Hockey League a year early, certain qualifications must be met:

“Exceptional Status is granted to a player whose qualities not only on the ice, but as a person, deem the player deserving of the rare privilege of participating in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) at a young age.

Consideration of such status is only granted to a player whose ongoing development is more likely to be significantly enhanced by playing in the CHL as a 15-year-old than by participating in his designated age division next season.”

Michael Misa was granted "Exceptional Status” by the Ontario Hockey League last spring and was selected by the Saginaw Spirit first overall at the OHL Priority Selection. The 15-year-old has met the challenge head on by thriving in Saginaw with 14 goals and 12 assists in his first 18 OHL games. He’s part of the reason the Spirit find themselves in first place in the West Division (17-6-1) and are currently riding a nine-game winning streak.

MEET THE SPIRIT GM

This past weekend, I spoke with Spirit general manager Dave Drinkill and Misa to discuss the process and how things are trending through the first couple of months of the season in Saginaw.

JB: Taking on a player who has been granted “Exceptional Status” involves more than just identifying how the prospect fits into your lineup. The player is much younger than others and living away from home. What went into the process of selecting Misa and making sure he and his family would be comfortable?

DD: Michael had been granted exceptional status by the OHL before the draft lottery took place. Once we won the lottery, there was a ton of excitement around the organization. But we knew we had to get to work to present a plan to the family and his representatives that would include his development as hockey player but also how his off-ice structure would look. Where would he live? How would his schooling be organized? What kind of support mechanisms would we have in place to assist him with the pressure of being selected first overall in the OHL Draft? We already had a strong relationship with his agency. The family and our organization got to know each other and things felt very comfortable for everyone, especially Michael. We couldn’t be more proud to have Michael as a member of the Spirit family.

JB: How would you describe Michael as a player?

DD: Michael makes people around him better. He’s a smart player with high-end hockey IQ. His small area game is a strength. He’s quick, fast and powerful. His knack for making big plays at the most important times in games is elite. He’s an all-round exceptional talent.

JB: Does adding a player like this excite your fanbase?

DD: There was a buzz in our community as soon as we won the draft lottery. Our fans recognized we were about to add a special talent and person into our organization. You can’t go anywhere in Saginaw and talk Spirit hockey without the name Michael Misa coming up.

JB: Have you noticed your leadership group take on any more responsibility with the arrival of Misa?

DD: Our veteran players have been phenomenal with Michael and really taken him under their wing. They are helping him adjust to life in the OHL and living away from home. Michael is such a humble, mature young man. He has fit right in with the group. He’s one of them. He’s the type of personality that teammates want to be around. People gravitate to Michael. He’s a special person.

MEET MICHAEL MISA

JB: Now that you have settled into the OHL, living away from home, and attending a new school, what has surprised you the most so far?

MM: As far as the hockey goes, it’s definitely the speed of the OHL game. The game is fast. The other adjustment has been the physical strength of my opponents. Everyone is bigger and stronger. I have to work that much harder for space.

My billet family is awesome. The team and organization have made me feel so comfortable. It’s made the transition easier for me.

As far as schooling goes, most of us attend the same high school and take our classes in the morning. We then head to the rink for practice or workouts. It’s a structured routine.

JB: How would you describe yourself as a player?

MM: I would say I’m a pretty detailed player who is competitive. I would say I’m skilled and smart. I like to make plays and create offence. I’m a good skater, too. I think I play the game pretty fast.

JB: Who in the NHL do you pattern your game after?

MM: I would say Mitch Marner. I love how creative he is. He’s hard to check. I think I have the same kind of skillset as Marner. I’m a playmaker as much as a goal scorer.

JB: Your team is on a nine-game winning streak and you are producing offensively. The games will only get harder as the season rolls along. What do you enjoy most about being an OHL player?

MM: I love all the different rinks and the amount of support teams get throughout the league. It’s exciting to play in front of big crowds. Here in Saginaw, we are very lucky to have the fanbase we do. They are passionate and really supportive.

As far as the team goes, we are playing really well and yes, I feel like I’m doing my part offensively. It’s been really fun so far.

JB: What other hobbies do you have outside of hockey?

MM: I played rep lacrosse before concentrating only on my hockey. I really liked [box] lacrosse. It’s intense. And it’s exhausting. I also play a lot of golf in the summer. I play three or four times a week in the morning before working out [for hockey] in the afternoons.

JB: What’s your golf handicap?

MM: I’m around a seven or eight.

JB: I feel like this is a softball question given you are a Mitch Marner fan but what team is your favourite in the NHL?

MM: (Laughs) Toronto!

JB: Your brother Luke plays for Mississauga. What’s it like having an older brother playing in the league? Do you guys share information back and forth on opponents?

MM: It’s exciting to be playing in the same league as my brother. We talk all the time about just about everything. He’s in the other conference so we don’t play each other that often. I’m super proud of him as well. He’s a tenacious player who works hard all the time. He’s a bit heavier than me but I’m a bit taller.

SCOUTING REPORT

Misa is an elite talent who is off to a fantastic start to his OHL career. He’s a big reason why the Spirit find themselves at the top of their division. His element is offence. He can create off the rush and pick opponents apart from the weak side flank on the power-play.

CLOSING REMARKS

Misa is an impressive young man. He’s mature beyond his years. He’s confident, well spoken, and focused on the job at hand.

He’s going to be under the microscope for years to come but the Spirit organization have a centrepiece to build around for the next three years (at least).

Misa is deserving of his “Exceptional Status” between whistles and outside the rink.