Memorial Cup champion Misa arrives at Canada’s World Juniors training camp
Photo credit: Jennifer Robins / Hockey Canada
Michael Misa has arrived in Niagara, ON.,
The San Jose Sharks forward – who dominated the previous three seasons in the OHL with the Saginaw Spirit – is fully healthy and has now joined Canada’s training camp ahead of the 2026 World Juniors in Minneapolis, MN.
“I’m excited I am here,” Misa told TSN. “I think we have a heck of a group so excited to get going. I came here to try and help them win a gold medal. My play on the ice is going to be really important for this team and I think I need to definitely step up so I am looking forward to the challenge.”
Goalscoring was a challenge for Canada in 2025 where they only mustered 13 goals in five games but this year, Misa is going to be a major part of Canada’s dynamic offence that also includes the Moncton Wildcats’ Caleb Desnoyers (UTA), Windsor Spitfires’ Liam Greentree (LA), Kelowna Rockets’ Tij Iginla (UTA), former Medicine Hat Tiger Gavin McKenna (2026) and Soo Greyhounds’ Brady Martin, among others.
“He’s an NHL player and in his limited time there, while dealing with an injury, he was playing really good hockey,” said Saginaw teammate Zayne Parekh. “He’s going to be one of the top players at this tournament, maybe even the best, and I’m looking forward to watching him.”
The second overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft by the Sharks, Misa played seven games and tallied three points (1G/2A). He also suited up twice for the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda where he recorded an assist.
“Definitely a lot faster,” Misa said of the NHL. “Everyone is making the right play; there’s not many mistakes out there … It’s definitely a step up but in the games I played I felt great.”
With Saginaw, Misa did nothing but make history. In 2024, he became just the second player granted exceptional status to win a Memorial Cup while in 2025 he claimed the CHL Top Scorer Award with an astonishing 134 points and was also named the OHL’s Most Outstanding Player and Scholastic Player of the Year. Misa’s 265 points are also the most in Spirit history.
Canada opens its 2026 World Juniors Boxing Day against Czechia and will also face Latvia, Denmark and Finland in the round-robin. The final is set for Jan. 5 at Grand Casino Resort in St. Paul, MN.
LIST OF PAST AND PRESENT CHL PLAYERS & STAFF ON CANADA’S 2026 NATIONAL JUNIOR TEAM
Goalies (3)
(G) Carter George (Owen Sound Attack / OHL)
(G) Jack Ivankovic (Brampton Steelheads / OHL; University of Michigan / NCAA)
(G) Joshua Ravensbergen (Prince George Cougars / WHL)
Defencemen (9)
(D) Kashawn Aitcheson (Barrie Colts / OHL)
(D) Harrison Brunicke (Kamloops Blazers / WHL)
(D) Carson Carels (Prince George Cougars / WHL)
(D) Ben Danford (Brantford Bulldogs / OHL)
(D) Ethan MacKenzie (Edmonton Oil Kings / WHL)
(D) Zayne Parekh (Saginaw Spirit / OHL)
(D) Cameron Reid (Kitchener Rangers / OHL)
(D) Keaton Verhoeff (Victoria Royals / WHL; University of North Dakota / NCAA)
Forwards (15)
(F) Carter Bear (Everett Silvertips / WHL)
(F) Cole Beaudoin (Barrie Colts / OHL)
(F) Braeden Cootes (Seattle Thunderbirds / WHL)
(F) Caleb Desnoyers (Moncton Wildcats / QMJHL)
(F) Liam Greentree (Windsor Spitfires / OHL)
(F) Tij Iginla (Kelowna Rockets / WHL)
(F) Jett Luchanko (Brantford Bulldogs / OHL)
(F) Brady Martin (Soo Greyhounds / OHL)
(F) Porter Martone (Brampton Steelheads / OHL; Michigan State University / NCAA)
(F) Gavin McKenna (Medicine Hat Tigers / WHL; Penn State University / NCAA)
(F) Michael Misa (Saginaw Spirit / OHL)
(F) Sam O’Reilly (London Knights / OHL)
(F) Cole Reschny (Victoria Royals / WHL; University of North Dakota / NCAA)
Head Coach – Dale Hunter (London Knights / OHL)
Assistant Coach – Brad Lauer (Spokane Chiefs / WHL)
Assistant Coach – Gardiner MacDougall (Moncton Wildcats / QMJHL)
Goaltending Consultant – Dan De Palma (Kamloops Blazers / WHL)
Video Coach – Ethan O’Rourke (Kingston Frontenacs / OHL)
Management Group – Mark Hunter (London Knights / OHL)
Athletic Therapist – Terence Robertson (Red Deer Rebels / WHL)
Team Physician – Michael Conrad (Victoria Royals / WHL)
Equipment Manager – Chris Cook (Brantford Bulldogs / OHL)
Equipment Manager – Chris Maton (London Knights / OHL)
Strength and Conditioning Coach – Sean Young (Ottawa 67’s / OHL)
