Michael Misa has already made an impression at the San Jose Sharks\u2019 Captain Skates.<\/p>\n
Just ask Collin Graf, who\u2019s been in San Jose for about three weeks. Graf says the 2025 No. 2 pick, who\u2019s just signed his ELC, has been in town for about two weeks.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve gotten to know him a good amount. He\u2019s a great guy. He\u2019s super-skilled out there. Definitely an electric guy to watch on the ice,\u201d Graf said on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
So what stands out about the San Jose Sharks\u2019 super-prospect?<\/p>\n
\u201cHis shot is, for sure, a weapon. He\u2019s beat goalies [here],\u201d Graf said.<\/p>\n
The San Jose Sharks organization\u2019s full complement of pro goaltenders, Yaroslav Askarov, Alex Nedeljkovic, Jakub Skarek, and Gabriel Carriere, have all been in town for a while.<\/p>\n
Graf compared Misa to Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith: \u201cJust his overall ability to make plays. You think about Mack and Smitty, how they\u2019re young, but they make a lot of plays out there, doesn\u2019t really bother them, stuff like that. I think he\u2019s sort of got that same thing.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
(Look for right-hander Misa, No. 77, in teal)<\/p>\n
San Jose Barracuda coach John McCarthy agreed that the 18-year-old\u2019s playmaking ability stands out.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think he sees the ice well, knows where people are, can make plays through tight triangles and tight areas,\u201d McCarthy said. \u201cThat\u2019s a very transferable skill to the NHL.\u201d<\/p>\n
Admittedly, Captain\u2019s Skates aren\u2019t physical, which could the 6-foot-1, 182-pound forward\u2019s biggest challenge, in his quest to jump from the CHL to the NHL.<\/p>\n
But his Misa\u2019s high-end hockey sense should serve him well as a teenager in a man\u2019s league.<\/p>\n
To a man, all of Misa\u2019s CHL rivals in camp, Sam Dickinson, Quentin Musty, and Kasper Halttunen are happy that the Saginaw Spirit offensive wizard is, pen to paper, officially on their side in the San Jose Sharks organization.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust really happy for him. Definitely a good thing to happen for him and the organization. So just looking forward to what\u2019s next for him,\u201d Dickinson said of his long-time friend.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s likely the same thing as what\u2019s next for Dickinson, San Jose\u2019s top defensive prospect, an extended NHL audition.<\/p>\n
Both Misa and Dickinson are eligible to return to the CHL, and if they play in less than 10 NHL games, their contracts will slide i.e. officially begin next season.<\/p>\n
Of course, Misa\u2019s only interest is the best league in the world.<\/p>\n