Porter Martone, folks. This kid is the new top dog on the Under 25 list for the Flyers, officially grabbing the No. 1 spot after two straight seasons with Matvei Michkov holding it down. His 2025-26? It was an absolute whirlwind, but man, he capped it off in a way you couldn’t even make up for a movie script. We’re talking about a 19-year-old, acquired via the 2025 NHL Draft, Round 1, Pick 6, who made an impact far beyond what you’d expect.
From Spartan Star to Bronze Medal Captain
Martone chose the NCAA route after finishing his OHL career in 2024-25, heading to Michigan State University, and he didn’t waste any time dominating. In his freshman season, he racked up 25 goals and 25 assists for 50 points in just 35 games! That’s the second-most goals by a Spartan freshman, only behind Rod Brind’Amour, and he was one of only five freshmen in MSU history to hit the 50-point mark. We’re talking five games with three or more points, a four-point explosion against Ohio State, and a hat trick versus the Fighting Irish in February. Dude was electric. And get this: he missed some games, but for a seriously good reason. He was captain of Team Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championships, scoring six goals and three assists for nine points in seven games, helping Canada secure the bronze medal just after Christmas. His Spartan season was looking like a deep run, maybe even a Frozen Four bid, but unfortunately, a late third-period lead against Wisconsin evaporated, and Michigan State lost in overtime in the regional final. Talk about a tough break.
Straight to the Show: NHL Debut Was No Fluke
Most guys would take a minute after a heartbreaking NCAA loss like that. Reflect, sign a contract, maybe join the big club for a few games to ease in. Not Martone. He turned the page immediately, signed his deal with Philadelphia, and jumped right to the big league down the stretch. And he was sensational! In his very first NHL game on March 31, on the road against Washington, he took a minor penalty and didn’t score, but he absolutely did not look out of place. He fired five shots on goal and skated for nearly 17 minutes, showing zero butterflies. That confidence, that swagger, that moxie, whatever you call it, fueled both him and the Flyers as they made a sprint towards a possible playoff spot. He even snagged an assist in a 4-2 loss to Detroit at home. Then, in the playoffs, he added another two goals and three assists for five points in 10 games! The kid just showed up and delivered.
This past year, Martone proved he’s built for the big stage, moving from a dominant NCAA freshman to an impactful NHL call-up, all while captaining his country to a bronze medal. He finished 2025-26 with a combined 4 goals and 6 assists for 10 points in 9 regular season games with Philly, plus those 5 playoff points. With all that under his belt, we’re absolutely salivating over what’s on the horizon for Martone’s first *full* rookie year. Get ready, because this kid is going to be a force.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Broad Street Hockey.
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