LOS ANGELES – The San Jose Sharks added another player they hope can be a future cornerstone of the organization.
The Sharks ended weeks of speculation on Friday, selecting dynamic Saginaw Spirit forward Michael Misa with the second overall pick in the newly decentralized NHL Draft at the Peacock Theater, right next to Crypto.com Arena.
After the New York Islanders, as expected, selected Erie Otters defenseman Matthew Schaefer with the No. 1 overall pick, the Sharks drafted Misa, considered the best forward available in a draft that features several highly skilled centermen.
Misa, 18, might not be ready in the NHL full time this upcoming season, but in time, he projects to be a top-six forward who could fit seamlessly into the already tantalizing top-six forward group that includes Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, and William Eklund.
In the best offensive season by an under-18 player in the Ontario Hockey League since 2007, Misa, in his first full season as a center, had 134 points with 62 goals in 65 games for the Spirit.
“Everybody knows it’s an exciting moment, but I’m glad I’ll finally get the chance to experience it myself,” Misa said Thursday. “For me, it’s one step at a time. I’ve got to worry about getting drafted, getting better in the summer, training camp and then ultimately shift my focus to the NHL, if I do get the chance to play next year.”
The Sharks found out at the May 5 NHL Draft Lottery that they would have the No. 2 selection and have now drafted inside the top seven four times since 2021, with Celebrini taken first overall last year, Smith the No. 4 pick in 2023, and Eklund going No. 7 to San Jose in 2021.
Misa relished the opportunity to join the Sharks.
“It would be a dream,” he said. “Such a great organization. Some of the players you have there already, and their young core coming up, it’s pretty cool to see what the organization will look like down the line.”
Misa won the Memorial Cup, major junior hockey’s championship, with Saginaw in 2024 and played with Sharks prospect Igor Chernyshov for three-plus this past season. Chernyshov, selected 33rd overall by the Sharks last year, joined Saginaw in January after he recovered from shoulder surgery and had 55 points in 23 regular-season games.
“He’s one of the best players I’ve ever played with,” Misa said. “He didn’t even speak English, so it was pretty impressive how we found each other out there.”
The Sharks selected Misa ahead of Swedish center Anton Frondell, Moncton Wildcats center Caleb Desnoyers, and winger Porter Martone of the Brampton Steelheads. Frondell went third overall to the Chicago Blackhawks.
“I’m just looking forward to the next step, but trying to appreciate this moment,” Misa said. “It’s an exciting time in our lives.”
The first round of the NHL Draft is being held Friday, and rounds two through seven will take place Saturday. The Sharks also own the 30th overall pick of the third round.
There had been considerable speculation in recent days that the Sharks were leaning toward taking the 18-year Frondell, who played against stiffer competition in Sweden’s second-best league this past year and still had 25 points in 29 games for Djurgardens.
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Frondell was considered one of the more physical players at the top end of the draft, while still possessing an elite shot and the ability to drive offense.
Please check back for updates to this story.
