Michael Misa granted exceptional status in the OHL

The Ontario Hockey League has granted forward Michael Misa exceptional status and made him eligible for the 2022 OHL Draft.

Exceptional status is given to 15-year-old hockey players who are extremely skilled and would be better suited to have an extra year in the OHL to develop as opposed to minor hockey leagues.

Misa got exceptional status after an incredible performance during the Mississauga Senators’ AAA U16 team’s run to the OHL Cup, capped off with Misa winning the MVP award with a 20-point performance, breaking the record previously held by the now-Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid.

Misa becomes the sixth player given exceptional status in the history of the OHL. Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares, Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad, McDavid, Syracuse Crunch defenseman Sean Day, and Sean Wright, one of the projected top picks in the upcoming 2022 NHL Draft, all previously had exceptional status. Of the four drafted into the NHL, only Day didn’t get selected first overall.

Exceptional status has also been given to two players outside of the OHL, as one of the projected top picks of the 2023 NHL Draft in Connor Bedard got it with the WHL, while Detroit Red Wings center Joe Veleno got it with the QMJHL. Veleno fell in the draft and was selected with the second last pick in the first round in 2018.

The 2022 OHL Priority Selection Draft is scheduled for April 29th. As of right now, the two teams fighting for last place in the OHL, and a top pick in the draft, are the Niagara Ice Dogs and the Saginaw Spirit.