Key Takeaways:
- Michael Misa, the San Jose Sharks’ No. 2 overall pick, is working to find his range on the international stage at the world junior hockey championship.
- Misa has registered only one assist through two victories, but is averaging 17 minutes 35 seconds of ice time and is looking to increase his production.
- Canada’s coaching staff, including assistant coach Gardiner MacDougall, believe Misa needs "mileage" after a long layoff due to an ankle injury.
- The team is focusing on finding chemistry and generating consistent offense, particularly from the other three lines beyond the top line.
- Canada is preparing to face Denmark in a Group B matchup, with Misa and the team looking to stay focused and avoid overconfidence.
Introduction to Michael Misa
Michael Misa, the skilled centre from Oakville, Ontario, is no stranger to filling the net. With 134 points across 65 games in the Ontario Hockey League last season, he caught the attention of the San Jose Sharks, who made him the No. 2 overall pick at June’s NHL draft. Misa earned a roster spot out of training camp and scored his first professional goal, but an ankle injury in early November kept him out of action for a month. Now, he’s looking to help Canada capture gold at the world junior hockey championship, but is still finding his footing on the international stage.
Misa’s Performance So Far
Misa has registered only one assist through two victories, a 7-5 win against Czechia and a 2-1 overtime win against Latvia. He’s averaging 17 minutes 35 seconds of ice time, mostly centring Canada’s top line with Tij Iginla and Porter Martone. However, he knows he has plenty more to give. "I’m feeling OK," Misa said. "Would like to start producing more on my end, but I think that’ll come … just glad I’m healthy." Misa has put only three shots on target, and acknowledges that he needs to shoot more. "We’re being a little bit too fancy," he said. "Me in particular, I gotta shoot more … I think, just in general, we gotta shoot more."
Canada’s Coaching Staff
Canadian assistant coach Gardiner MacDougall believes Misa needs "mileage" after playing just two games with the Sharks’ AHL affiliate earlier this month before joining Canada as a late arrival. "He’s going to find ways to get better," MacDougall said. "He’s got more speed and is handling the puck more. Those guys want the puck, have the puck. Give it, get it back. They want to be around the puck a lot." MacDougall also noted that Canada allowed Latvia to protect the middle of the ice instead of probing to find weaknesses in tougher areas. He used a Toronto Blue Jays analogy to explain what the staff would prefer to see in similar situations moving forward.
Preparing for Denmark
Canada now turns its attention to a Monday tilt in Group B against Denmark, following a 13-2 thumping against the same opponent in the final pre-tournament game. The Danes, however, played Czechia tough early in what turned into a 7-2 loss. "That’s a good wake-up call," MacDougall said. "The biggest game of their tournament — biggest game of their lives — is playing Canada." Misa, who had two assists in the exhibition win over Denmark, said the group will be solely focused on those 60 minutes. "I don’t think anyone on our team should be overconfident," he said. "They’re going to give us their best."
MacDougall’s First World Junior Opportunity
MacDougall, head coach of the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League’s powerhouse Moncton Wildcats, is getting his first world junior opportunity after watching on television for three decades. "It’s been really tremendous," MacDougall said. "Just to see how Hockey Canada is so organized and the staff that we have and the talent we have with the players, it’s really neat to be part of." The players have taken a liking to MacDougall, with Canadian defenceman Kashawn Aitcheson praising his high energy and ability to bring the team together. "Great guy," Aitcheson said with a smile. "Super high-energy. He brings the guys together, gets them going. I don’t think I’ve ever met a guy like that."