Spirit’s Michael Misa claims Bobby Smith Trophy as OHL Scholastic Player of the Year

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) today announced that top 2025 NHL Draft prospect Michael Misa of the Saginaw Spirit is the 2024-25 recipient of the Bobby Smith Trophy, presented annually to the OHL Scholastic Player of the Year.

Saginaw’s captain, Misa was a force on the ice, with his 134 points earning him the Eddie Powers Trophy as the OHL’s top scorer. He was also a star performer in the classroom, achieving an 86 percent average in Grade 12 university-level courses at Oakville Trafalgar High School. Misa’s course load included Kinesiology, Functions, International Business and Health and Nutrition.

“I am proud of the support system we have in Saginaw,” said Misa. “Pam Moretuzzo did a great job this year, always making sure our players were in check with their schoolwork and helping me whenever I needed it. Receiving the Bobby Smith Award is an honor, and I’m grateful for the league’s consideration.”

Misa’s season on the ice was nothing short of sensational as his 62 goals tied him with Patrick Kane of the 2006-07 London Knights for the third-most by an NHL Draft eligible player in OHL history. His 134 points established a new Saginaw Spirit record and are tied with John Tavares of the 2006-07 Oshawa Generals for the most by an under-18 OHL skater since the year 2000.

“I think what Michael has been able to do this year is incredible,” said Spirit General Manager Dave Drinkill. “It shows he’s a well-rounded person, it’s not just about the hockey, and that he takes a lot of pride in who he is away from the rink as well. We couldn’t be more proud of him.”

Misa becomes the Spirit franchise’s second-ever recipient of the Bobby Smith Trophy following Cole Perfetti in 2019-20. Other prominent past winners of the award currently playing in the NHL include Thomas Harley (2018-19), Barrett Hayton (2017-18), Nicolas Hague (2015-16), back-to-back winner Connor McDavid (2013-14, 2014-15), Darnell Nurse (2012-13), Adam Pelech (2011-12), Dougie Hamilton (2010-11), Erik Gudbranson (2009-10), Matt Duchene (2008-09) and Steven Stamkos (2006-07).

“Michael is a diligent and hardworking individual both on and off the ice,” said Spirit Academic Advisor Pamela Moretuzzo. “He leads by example through his actions and consistently strives to do his best. Michael sets a positive example for his teammates, perseveres through adversity, and maintains an optimistic outlook in in every situation. He takes initiative in his learning by seeking help to gain a deeper understanding of the material at hand.”

An 18-year-old from Oakville, Ont., Misa is the Spirit’s all-time scoring leader with 265 points (113-152–265) over 177 career regular season games. The former OHL Rookie of the Year in 2023 was chosen first overall as an exceptional status 15-year-old player by the franchise after winning an OHL Cup title and setting a new single tournament scoring record in 2022. He enters the 2025 NHL Draft this summer in Los Angeles as the second-ranked North American skater by NHL Central Scouting.

Misa finished as this year’s frontrunner for the Bobby Smith Trophy, followed by finalists Beckham Edwards of the Sarnia Sting and Cameron Reid of the Kitchener Rangers.

Each year the Bobby Smith Trophy is presented to the OHL Scholastic Player of the Year who best combines high standards of play and academic excellence. The trophy is in honour of Bobby Smith, a former Ottawa 67’s star who exhibited a standard of excellence in both of these areas.

Misa will be formally presented with the Bobby Smith Trophy at the OHL Awards Ceremony held in Toronto this June.

For a full list of OHL award winners, click here.