How Luke Misa’s Advanced Transition Game Led to an NHL Draft Season

Even by CHL standards, the Mississauga Steelheads have seen more than their fair share of roster turnover over the past three seasons.

As a result, everyone has kept their expectations in check heading into the 2023-24 season.

Luke Misa, however, had other plans. He wasted no time changing that dynamic.

With Misa leading the way, the Steelheads racked up 10 wins in October and moved to the top of the standings. He hosted multi-point games every week and was the first OHL player eligible for the 2024 NHL Draft to reach the 20-point mark this season.

When the campaign finally ended, Misa had nearly doubled his production from the previous year, led the Steelheads in scoring, and set career and franchise milestones in the process.

Although his draft-eligible OHL peers eventually caught up to him, Misa finished the season ranked fourth in draft-eligible scoring, with the third-best points per game rate.

It was an offensive explosion that no one saw coming – not even yours truly, although I suspected Misa’s game was trending in a positive direction come February 2023 with more minutes and a top-six role: ” It will be interesting to see what he can do with a full season as the team’s No. 1 center, but if this recent streak is any indication, Misa could be poised for a big draft season.

And boy, did it ever deliver on its promises.