The Calgary Flames had top-of-the-line drafts this previous summer time on the Sphere because the membership added a number of nice prospects to their pipeline. Essentially the most notable of which have been names like Zayne Parekh, Matvei Gridin, and Andrew Basha however the group additionally drafted nicely within the later rounds with certainly one of their picks being Luke Misa of the Brampton Steelheads who the Flames took within the fifth spherical, one hundred and fiftieth general.
Some analysts had Misa being chosen as excessive because the second spherical however his 5-foot-10 stature turned groups away from him within the earlier rounds. Misa was the Steelheads’ main scorer final season and simply completed his first NHL coaching camp this previous week. As he displays on his first coaching camp within the large leagues, he additionally has large objectives for himself and his group heading into his subsequent Ontario Hockey League (OHL) season.
Misa’s Coaching Camp Expertise
Misa’s coaching camp started earlier than nearly all of the core Flames gamers as he took half in Calgary’s rookie video games in Penticton B.C. Misa and the Flames took on the rookies from the Winnipeg Jets, Edmonton Oilers, and Vancouver Canucks in a four-day occasion. Misa was given jersey quantity 78 which is much from his typical jersey variety of 33. He has worn that quantity since minor hockey as an ode to his father who wore the identical quantity when he performed highschool soccer.
After going pointless in his first sport in opposition to the Jets’ rookies, Misa discovered his footing in Sport 2 the place he arrange Calgary’s first purpose with a fantastic cross-ice cross to Basha on the ability play to tie the sport 1-1. Misa additionally put in an empty-net purpose in opposition to the Oilers to safe a 3-1 victory for the Flames. Misa felt superb about his efficiency within the rookie video games. “I felt good within the rookie event,” Misa stated when requested. “It felt nice to get to play all three video games and get all of them below our belts.”
As soon as Misa returned from the rookie event, he took half within the Flames’ important camp and was capable of work together with all of Calgary’s important gamers. Nearly all of the skaters at camp are gamers that Misa has watched since he was a child. “It was good to be in a camp with these gamers,” stated Misa. “You get to see the tempo and all the little particulars which can be so necessary [at the next level.] It was superior to get to be taught from a few of them and among the employees and coaches as nicely.”
When getting into camp as an 18-year-old, you will get starstruck very simply as you are actually getting into into an setting the place you’re surrounded by folks that you’ve appeared as much as your whole life. Misa thought it was very cool to be surrounded by Nazem Kadri and Jonathan Huberdeau however his large starstruck second occurred when he suited up for his first preseason sport in opposition to Edmonton and received to play in opposition to Connor McDavid. “It was cool,” Misa stated about taking part in in opposition to certainly one of his idols. “Simply to have the ability to see the pace that he performs with and to see him rating in opposition to us. He was certainly one of my favorite gamers rising up and to have the ability to play in opposition to him was cool.”
OHL Expectations
After Misa’s preseason sport, he was despatched again to the OHL the place he and the Steelheads are anticipated to be one of many prime groups within the league this season. Brampton’s opening evening win in opposition to the Brantford Bulldogs by a rating of 7-0 tells you why. The Steelheads have an unimaginable roster crammed with NHL prospects like Misa, Dallas Stars prospect Angus MacDonell, and newly acquired Seattle Kraken prospect Carson Rehkopf.
The Steelheads even have prime prospects for this upcoming draft reminiscent of group captain Porter Martone who’s projected to be a top-five choose and goaltender Jack Ivankovic who will be the first goaltender chosen within the draft. “Our purpose is to make it actually far and have an excellent run,” Misa stated on his group’s expectations. “A number of the items that we picked up within the offseason have been actually good for us and we’re all pumped up for this season.” To date, the Steelheads have opened their season 2-0 and have scored 12 objectives in these two video games. They appeared primed for a giant yr.
Associated: Luke Misa – 2024 NHL Draft Prospect Profile
Misa additionally has expectations for himself this season as he appears to be like to construct off of an over 80-point marketing campaign from a season in the past. “I need to construct off from final yr. Yearly up to now within the OHL I’ve improved and have been capable of be extra profitable within the league and I need to preserve constructing off of final season.”
If Misa can enhance off of his level complete from final season, he could hit the 100-point mark this season particularly if he’s taking part in for a powerhouse Steelheads group. Enhancing his level complete will go a good distance for him as Misa is trying to signal an entry-level contract (ELC) with the Flames this season. To date, Misa and his agent haven’t talked about signing an ELC with the Flames however he feels that if he performs nicely sufficient with the Steelheads, he’ll be capable of signal one. “I feel with the ability to have one other actually profitable season with the Steelheads goes to assist me be capable of get [an ELC.]
Misa is trying to have an important yr within the OHL as he might be a giant contributor to a top-tier group. If he can enhance on the 81 factors he had final season and perhaps hit the triple-digit mark, Calgary could have gotten a steal within the fifth spherical.
