The Ontario Hockey League leads the way with three skaters in the top five of TSN’s latest NHL Draft Rankings, compiled by Director of Scouting Craig Button for the 2025 NHL Draft.
The end-of-regular-season edition of the Top 64 was released Tuesday morning, featuring 14 OHL players.
While injured Erie Otters defenceman Matthew Schaefer maintains his hold as the top-ranked player for the 2025 NHL Draft, an exceptional season from Saginaw Spirit forward Michael Misa has pushed him into the No. 2 spot for the first time. Button previously had Misa at No. 7 in September, No. 3 in November and No. 5 in January but the Oakville, Ont. native’s 2024-25 season was enough to position him as the top forward on this month’s list.
After being granted exceptional status in 2022 to enter the Ontario Hockey League as a 15-year-old and then helping the Spirit to the franchise’s first-ever Memorial Cup championship in 2024, Misa managed to find a whole new level to his game this season.
Misa finished the regular season as the OHL’s top point-getter with 134 points, edging out Ilya Protas of the Windsor Spitfires (124). He also finished second in goals with 62.
“I question myself for questioning him,” said Button of Misa. “All the evidence was there. All you need to do is continue to watch the progression and the progression is there. “He’s been brilliant. He’s a hell of a player.”
Rounding out the top three is Brampton Steelheads captain Porter Martone, who finishes the regular season with 37 goals and 98 points in 57 games.
“Porter Martone, he’s a winner,” said Button. “He’s in it to win it. There might be players with a little more skill and a little more flash and dash. I go into a game that I know is going to be hard, I want Porter Martone on my team.”
OHL players included on TSN’s rankings:
1. Matthew Schaefer (D) – Erie Otters
17 GP, 7G, 15A, 22 PTS., +21
2. Michael Misa (F) – Saginaw Spirit
65 GP, 62G, 72A, 134 PTS., +45
3. Porter Martone (F) – Brampton Steelheads
57 GP, 37G, 61A, 98 PTS., +19
10. Jake O’Brien (F) – Brantford Bulldogs
66 GP, 32G, 66A, 98 PTS., -2
12. Cameron Reid (D) – Kitchener Rangers
67 GP, 14G, 40A, 54 PTS., +39
13. Malcolm Spence (F) – Erie Otters
65 GP, 32G, 41A, 73 PTS., +10
17. Kashawn Aitcheson (D) – Barrie Colts
64 GP, 26G, 33A, 59 PTS., +6
20. Brady Martin (F) – Soo Greyhounds
57 GP, 33G, 39A, 72 PTS., +25
24. Jack Nesbitt (F) – Windsor Spitfires
65 GP, 25G, 39A, 64 PTS., +12
37. Jack Ivankovic (G) – Brampton Steelheads
43 GP, 3.05GAA, .903SAV%, 25-12-5
41. Henry Brzustewicz (D) – London Knights
67 GP, 10G, 32A, 42 PTS., +24
49. Kristian Epperson (F) – Saginaw Spirit
58 GP, 27G, 53A, 80 PTS., +45
57. Aleksei Medvedev (G) – London Knights
34 GP, 2.79GAA, .912SAV%, 22-8-2
58. Ethan Czata (F) – Niagara IceDogs
68 GP, 21G, 34A, 55 PTS., -9
For Craig Button’s full Top-64 list, click here.
