Sharks’ Michael Misa sent to AHL on conditioning stint

The San Jose Sharks are close to seeing one of their top prospects return to the lineup, as center Michael Misa has been loaned to their AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda, on a conditioning stint.

Misa has missed the last 14 games due to a lower-body injury that he sustained before the Sharks’ 6-1 win over the Seattle Kraken on November 5th. The cause of the injury remains unknown, especially since he was a healthy scratch the game prior.

Due to his age and OHL eligibility, Misa is unable to play in the AHL full-time, as a non-injury demotion would require him to go to the OHL. His AHL stint can’t be longer than six days or three games depending on which occurs first, so he is currently only eligible for the Barracuda’s two-game homestand against the Tucson Roadrunners on Friday and Saturday. However, the Sharks can request an extension to the stint to give him two more games, which would give him another week in the AHL.

Misa will also be on long-term injured reserve during his conditioning stint, which means that he won’t take up a roster spot on the Sharks during his tenure in the AHL.

Misa’s conditioning stint comes at an interesting time, as Canada’s World Junior team is set to announce their initial roster for the tournament on Monday. Misa remains eligible for the team, so it’s possible that his conditioning stint will last until he is named to the tournament and joins Canada to prepare for it. Whether the Sharks opt to send him to the OHL after the tournament is not known at this point.

Misa was notably left off of Canada’s World Junior team in 2025, one of many decisions some think played a role in their quarterfinal exit to Czechia. However, it’d be a surprise to see him not on the roster this year should the Sharks make him available, as he would be one of their top offensive options.

Misa has had a quiet start to his NHL career, largely due to not finding a consistent role with the Sharks in the early-going. He has one goal and two assists for three points in seven games, and had been a healthy scratch in six games before the injury.