Porter Martone, the No. 6 choice of the 2025 NHL Draft who’s extensively seen because the Philadelphia Flyers’ top prospect, has signed a three-year entry-level cope with the membership, the Flyers introduced Sunday.
Martone joins Philadelphia after wrapping up his freshman season at Michigan State, the place he posted a team-leading 25 objectives and 50 factors in 35 video games. The Spartans’ season ended with a 4-3 extra time loss to Wisconsin within the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament.
In January, Flyers president of hockey operations Keith Jones spoke in regards to the group’s pleasure over the event of the 19-year-old Martone. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound ahead arguably exceeded expectations in his lone school season. Not solely is Martone a possible high-end scorer on the NHL stage, however his abrasive type might shortly endear him to Flyers followers. When he was drafted, Martone in contrast himself to gamers reminiscent of Corey Perry, Matthew Tkachuk and former Flyers ahead Wayne Simmonds.
“He’s been productive in a very tough league, and that’s impressive,” Jones stated then. “He’s got some dirt under his fingernails. He likes a certain style of play, which I think is something that’s conducive to the way we’ll need him to play when he gets here.”
Martone, a pure proper wing, joins a Flyers crew awash with high quality younger wingers. The Flyers have Travis Konecny, Matvei Michkov and Owen Tippett on the fitting and, at left wing — a place Martone has stated he may also play — a at present injured Tyson Foerster, in addition to promising younger gamers Alex Bump, Denver Barkey and Nikita Grebenkin.
While it’s unsure the place coach Rick Tocchet will use Martone, one space wherein {the teenager} might assist spark the crew — instantly and sooner or later — is its league-worst energy play. Eight of Martone’s 25 objectives this season with Michigan State got here with a person benefit.
Martone’s signing additionally alleviates any concern that there might be a repeat of the Cutter Gauthier scenario, when the previous Flyers prospect and No. 5 draft choose in 2022 spurned the membership after two seasons at Boston College and was traded to Anaheim.
Martone posted 37 objectives and 98 factors with OHL Brampton in 2024-25, then determined to attend Michigan State quickly after being drafted by the Flyers. Flyers basic supervisor Daniel Briere advised The Athletic on the time that the group supported Martone’s resolution, regardless that it prevented him from attending coaching camp in September, the place he may need had an opportunity to make the opening-night lineup.
“We told him we’d be very supportive of whatever the decision would be,” Briere stated.
Flyers director of participant improvement Riley Armstrong observed early within the NCAA season that Martone’s skating — regarded as the principle a part of his recreation that wanted improvement — was already bettering.
“You can tell just playing at the NCAA level and practicing at that higher pace compared to a junior practice, it’s pushing his skating and the pace of his skating, which is something he needed to improve,” Armstrong advised The Athletic in October.
Immediately after the Flyers drafted Martone, and earlier than he determined to go the school hockey route in July, Briere strongly indicated the trail for Martone to achieve the NHL was prone to be a brief one. Martone performed for Team Canada on the 2025 IIHF World Championships with Foerster, Konecny and Travis Sanheim.
“His body, the way he’s built, is a little bigger, thicker guy. … He’s a really good player already. He’s pretty close to being ready,” Briere stated.
Now, lower than 10 months after drafting him, the Flyers will get to see simply how prepared Martone is.
