3 days ago
Why did 2025 NHL Draft prospect Michael Misa win the prestigious E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence?
Michael Misa wins E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence (Getty Images)
In what's shaping up to be a dream summer for Michael Misa, the highly-touted hockey phenom has been honored with the 2025 E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence — a recognition that celebrates not just athletic prowess, but the very core of what makes a future NHL star.
At just 17, Misa has captured the attention of the hockey world. A native of Oakville, Ontario, and captain of the Saginaw Spirit in the OHL, he led the entire Canadian Hockey League in scoring during the 2024-25 season — the first player in franchise history to do so.
How did top
2025 NHL Draft
talent Michael Misa earn the E.J. McGuire Award for excellence?
With an astonishing 134 points (62 goals, 72 assists) over 65 games, Michael Misa's offensive dominance came with a streak of 28 consecutive games with at least one point, along with 46 multi-point games and 16 multi-goal performances.
But this award isn't just about stats. First introduced in 2015, the E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence is given annually to a player who showcases outstanding character, competitiveness, and commitment to excellence — all of which Misa has personified. His journey began when he was granted exceptional status to enter the OHL a year early, a rare distinction that set the tone for a career filled with promise. Since then, Misa hasn't just lived up to expectations — he's shattered them.
'Michael Misa is the candidate most deserving of the E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence as he demonstrated the athleticism, compete and character that defines this award in his pursuit to be the best player he could be,' said Dan Marr, director of NHL Central Scouting.
'Receiving exceptional status to play as a 15-year-old in the OHL is a distinctive honour that comes with high expectations and Michael excelled in navigating his way forward with an impressive level of humility, consistency, and record-breaking play as one of the top prospects in this year's draft class.'
This special honor was handed to Misa in style — with an engraved NHL crystal presented live on Sportsnet's pregame show, just ahead of Game 3 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena. Sharing the stage with Sportsnet host Ron MacLean, analyst Kevin Bieksa, and fellow top prospect Matthew Schaefer, Misa embraced the spotlight that's only expected to grow brighter in the coming weeks.
As the NHL Draft approaches on June 27 in Los Angeles, Misa is widely projected to go in the top five. And with accolades like these, it's clear the young forward isn't just heading to the NHL — he's ready to make an impact the moment he gets there.
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