Luke Misa

April 2024 – Luke Misa is a small, feisty forward who is one of the best skaters in the draft. Misa doesn’t just fly, he also handles the puck and makes plays at his top speed, something many prospects struggle with when they get up to top speed. He’s an excellent playmaker and distributor of the puck as well. He has a tendency to over skate plays away from the puck, but that could be reigned in a bit. At the very least, the effort and tenacity he plays with will be a very welcomed positive in his game. Misa isn’t the biggest player, but players who skate and compete like him find a role in the NHL, even if it’s a little different than the role he plays in Mississauga. Jordan Harris (April Ranking: 32nd overall)

November 2023 – It doesn’t take long for your eyes to gravitate towards Luke Misa when watching the Mississauga Steelheads play. He’s the small, feisty forward with speed to burn, and is relentless in pursuit. Misa is at his best as a puck transporter and distributor as he’s excellent in transition and setting up teammates with passes once he gains the offensive zone. He is a very effective playmaker making passes from behind the net as well and off the half wall. Despite his small frame, he will win puck battles by using his speed and competitiveness. Misa is supremely tenacious and will backcheck hard to try to force as many turnovers as he can. Once he forces a turnover, he scans quickly to find outlet passes and flip the ice in his team’s favour. Misa’s shot is just okay and probably needs more to score consistently at the next level. Combine that with poor size and just good skill and this is probably what separates him from a player like Zach Benson in 2023. Still, despite the small frame, players who skate and compete like Misa find ways to make the NHL and stick for a long time, even if it’s not in a top-line role. Jordan Harris (November Rankings: 16th Overall)