The San Jose Sharks have made a splash in the NHL offseason, officially signing top prospect Michael Misa to a standard three-year entry-level contract on September 10, 2025. This move, which Sharks fans had eagerly awaited, marks a major milestone for both the franchise and the 18-year-old forward, who was selected second overall in the 2025 NHL Draft. With Misa now in the fold, all eyes are on training camp and the upcoming season to see if the consensus best forward prospect of the draft can make the leap straight to the NHL.
Misa’s signing comes after a record-shattering season with the Saginaw Spirit in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He led all players in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) with a staggering 134 points—62 goals and 72 assists—in just 65 games. Not only did he set franchise records for goals and points, but his offensive prowess also earned him the Red Tilson Trophy as the OHL Player of the Year. His plus-45 rating and 46 multi-point games, including 16 multi-goal outings, further highlight his dominance at the junior level.
“Michael is a gifted player and a hard worker who we are excited to bring into our organization,” said Sharks General Manager Mike Grier in a statement released by the team. “We are looking forward to his continued development as part of our group.” Grier’s enthusiasm is echoed throughout the organization, with teammates and coaches alike eager to see what Misa will bring to the ice in San Jose.
Misa’s journey to the NHL has been nothing short of remarkable. Granted exceptional status by Hockey Canada in 2022, he entered the OHL as an underage player and immediately set the league alight. In his rookie campaign, despite missing several weeks due to injury, he produced 56 points (22 goals, 34 assists) in 45 games—outpacing previous exceptional status players like John Tavares and Connor McDavid in points-per-game. He was named OHL Rookie of the Year and earned spots on both the CHL All-Rookie Team and OHL First All-Rookie Team.
Over the next two seasons, Misa’s trajectory only soared. After notching 75 points in 67 games during the 2023-24 season and helping the Spirit reach the third round of the OHL playoffs, he capped off his junior career by leading Saginaw to a Memorial Cup championship in 2024, contributing five assists in five games at the prestigious tournament. His 2024-25 season was historic: he became the first Spirit player ever to lead the CHL in scoring, posted the most points by an under-18 player since 2000 (tied with Tavares), and registered the eighth-highest single-season point total in CHL history. His 62 goals were the most by an OHL player since Patrick Kane’s 2006-07 campaign and tied for third-most by a draft-eligible skater in league history.
Along the way, Misa racked up an impressive array of hardware. In addition to the Red Tilson Trophy, he received the E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence for his commitment to excellence, the Eddie Powers Trophy as OHL points leader, and was named OHL Scholastic Player of the Year. He was also a finalist for both the David Branch Player of the Year and CHL Scholastic Player of the Year awards. It’s no surprise, then, that he was a consensus top prospect heading into the 2025 NHL Draft.
The Sharks, who had considered other talented forwards like Anton Frondell and Porter Martone, ultimately couldn’t pass on Misa’s combination of skill, playmaking, and hockey sense. Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 185 pounds, Misa has the frame and versatility to play both center and wing. There’s already speculation that he could be tested as the No. 2 center behind Macklin Celebrini, or perhaps shifted to the wing if the team decides to move Will Smith back to the middle. Smith and Celebrini developed strong chemistry late last season, but Misa’s arrival gives head coach David Quinn plenty of options as he assembles his forward lines.
Despite his youth, Misa’s inclusion on the Sharks’ roster for the Golden State Rookie Faceoff in Irvine, California (September 12-14), signals the organization’s intent to give him every chance to make the team out of training camp. The main camp begins September 18, and Misa has made it clear that his goal is to play in the NHL this season, passing up NCAA opportunities—including a potential stint at Penn State, where his older brother Luke is set to play and top 2026 prospect Gavin McKenna is committed.
"I think that’s kind of for my game to decide. I got to prove myself. You know, I believe when I’m at my best, I’m making guys around me better. I think I play with good offensive ability. We’ll see what happens," Misa said, reflecting on his readiness for the NHL. His confidence and maturity have impressed both management and teammates. Collin Graf, one of the Sharks’ projected forwards, praised Misa’s presence on and off the ice: “He’s a great guy. He’s super skilled out there. Definitely an electric guy to watch on the ice, and a good guy off the ice, too. Super cool that he signed, super excited to be playing with him.”
Misa’s entry-level contract is worth $877,500 per year in base salary, with the potential to earn up to $3.25 million annually through performance bonuses, and includes a yearly signing bonus of $97,500. With the signing, the Sharks have reached the NHL’s 50-contract limit, which could necessitate some roster moves before the season starts. General Manager Grier has a track record of leveraging the team’s cap flexibility to acquire players off waivers, and fans can expect some minor trades or contract terminations in the coming weeks to create roster breathing room.
As for the competition, the Sharks’ forward group is crowded. Including offseason additions Jeff Skinner, Adam Gaudette, Ryan Reaves, and Philipp Kurashev, the team already has 13 forwards projected for the NHL roster. Misa will need to prove he belongs, but given his junior dominance and the Sharks’ recent history of giving young stars like Celebrini and Smith early opportunities, the door is wide open.
Sharks fans won’t have to wait long to see Misa in action. He’ll skate alongside other prospects at the Golden State Rookie Faceoff, facing off against future stars from the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings. Misa is also scheduled to meet with the media following his rookie camp skates, offering further insight into his mindset as he embarks on his NHL journey.
The anticipation in San Jose is palpable. With training camp looming and the roster in flux, Michael Misa’s arrival injects excitement and hope into a franchise looking to accelerate its rebuild. Whether he cracks the Opening Night lineup or needs a few more games to adjust, one thing’s for sure: the Sharks have landed a rare talent, and the hockey world will be watching closely as his NHL story begins to unfold.
