Potential top 2 NHL draft picks Matthew Schaefer & Michael Misa reveal their current day NHL idols

On Friday, at the NHL Scouting Combine presented by Fanatics in Buffalo, potential top 2 2025 NHL Draft prospects Michael Misa and Matthew Schaefer shared which current NHL players inspire them the most.

Michael Misa, a skilled forward for the Saginaw Spirit, said that he looks up to Kirill Kaprizov and Nikita Kucherov.

"For me, it's Kirill Kaprizov and Kucherov," Misa said (3:48 onwards). "Those two guys — I do know they are both wingers — but I think what they do on the ice I can relate to in a lot of ways. The way they drive themselves offensively, their playmaking ability — just stuff when I watch them, I can hopefully see myself like in the future."

Michael Misa scored 134 points in 65 games during the 2024–25 season and added three points in four playoff games. He helped Canada win gold at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

Schaefer, a top-ranked defenseman with the Erie Otters, listed Cale Makar and Miro Heiskanen as players he enjoys watching.

"I love watching Cale Makar, Heiskanen, two really smooth-skating defensemen," Schaefer said. "I don't think there's a guy I really model my game after. I love watching Brandon Tanev on the PK—block shots, kill penalties.

"I want to be that defenseman that can play all over the ice. Whatever the coaches need— if it's PK, PP — I just want to be that guy that goes out there and works as hard as I can."

A native of Hamilton, Ontario, Schaefer is a 6-foot-2 left-shooting defenseman. He had 17 points in 56 games in 2023-24 and 22 points in 17 games in 2024-25. Schaefer also played for Canada at the U17, U18 and U20 levels and is ranked a top 2025 NHL Draft prospect.

The New York Islanders hold the first overall pick, followed by the San Jose Sharks at No. 2 and the Chicago Blackhawks at No. 3, in the draf scheduled on June 27.

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Michael Misa talked about playing center position

Michael Misa has always had attention, but moving back to centre helped him show his full potential.

He entered the OHL at 15 with exceptional-player status, like Connor McDavid and John Tavares. In his first two seasons, he showed promise but didn’t stand out, but this year, he scored 62 goals and 134 points.

Playing centre again gave him more confidence and puck touches. Misa said that he felt more comfortable and involved in the play.

"Ultimately, I wanted to make that jump back to centre and I think it helped my confidence level a lot," Misa said on Friday at Buffalo. "I just feel a lot more comfortable down the middle, got a lot more puck touches, just carrying the play on my stick more was definitely something that helped me."

Michael Misa was left off Canada’s World Junior team but proved himself throughout the season. Now, he ranks second in most NHL mock drafts. The New York Islanders even took him to dinner, so he's also on their radar.