Michael Misa has fared well in the first two days of San Jose Sharks training camp, but he’s still adjusting.
Through two days, the No. 2 pick in the NHL Draft has been calm in situations he’s never been in before. The pace and physicality of playing against grown men is a step up for Misa, but he expected it.
“Definitely faster pace. I think it pushes you to keep up,” Misa said. “For me, [I’m] just always trying to skate as fast as I can. I think it’s important to build speed early to help you keep up with some of those guys out there.”
During Friday’s scrimmage, Misa showcased his puck-handling ability with a terrific play that led to a goal by William Eklund. Misa won a puck battle along the boards, cut the inside before finding Eklund on the back door for a one-timer goal.
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“Each day I’m feeling more comfortable,” Misa said about the play. “I think the confidence is always there. I believe in myself.”
Playing defense in the NHL is incredibly hard for an 18-year-old rookie center. For Misa, the work ethic is there, and he hasn’t been out of place. The San Jose Sharks prospect knows that if he is going to make the team, being a complete player is needed.
“It’s going to be an adjustment, for sure. Like any young player trying to make the NHL, just bigger players down low, trying to get them up against the wall,” Misa explained. “Each day, I think I’ve been doing a better job of it. It’s something I still am going to continue to learn. That’s why there’s a lot of older guys on the team for me to take advice and learn from.”
Ryan Warsofsky is surprised by how comfortable Misa already looks
San Jose Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky told reporters that he was surprised by how well the No. 2 pick is showing.
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Misa has been centering William Eklund and Igor Chernyshov during scrimmages. Eklund hasn’t had to carry his linemates, as Misa continues to drive play.
“He’s probably surprised me the most as far as first-year training camp in the NHL. It can be a deer in the headlights. The bright lights are on, the big boys are out there, and the pace is high, and he doesn’t really look out of place right now,” Warsofsky said.
“It’s still early. It’s two days, but I think he’s done a really good job in some of the defensive drills we did today. He was picking up the concepts pretty quickly. I think that was really good to see.”
Misa admits that face-offs are something he’s still working on.
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“The man grip. That’s just everyone is so much stronger on their stick. It’s definitely more challenging than the OHL. That’s why you got coaches, older guys, to help you with those face-offs,” Misa said.
It is still unclear whether he’ll play in the first preseason game on Sunday, but the Sharks’ top forward prospect is making an impression at the start of training camp.
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