Yesterday, it became official that Porter Martone would indeed head to the NCAA and play for the Michigan State Spartans for the upcoming 2025-26 season. The Flyers were included with conversations for this decision, and it’s to my understanding with those familiar with the situation that they are happy with him going down the NCAA route. In the end, they just wanted what was better for the player and what he wants to do, in terms of his development. This decision was solely Martone’s and his families.
The NCAA route makes sense for Martone for several key reasons, based on his development needs, career trajectory, and the evolving landscape of Junior hockey.
- Enhanced Development Against Stronger Competition: The NCAA offers Martone the opportunity to compete against older, more physically mature players (typically 19-22 years old) compared to the 16-18-year-olds in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). This increased physicality and competition level better prepares him for the NHL’s demands, helping him refine his skating and defensive consistency—areas identified for improvement.
- Structured Environment and Training Time: The NCAA schedule, with games primarily on weekends, provides ample practice and gym time during the week. This allows Martone to focus on improving his physical conditioning and skating, critical for his transition to the NHL. The structured college environment also fosters discipline and development in a less pressured setting than professional hockey.
- Preserving NHL Entry-Level Contract (ELC) Flexibility: By choosing the NCAA, Martone avoids signing an ELC with the Flyers immediately, preserving his collegiate eligibility. This flexibility allows him to develop without burning a year of his contract, giving the Flyers and Martone more options for his NHL debut, potentially in the 2026-27 season.
- Opportunity for Top Minutes at Michigan State: Martone’s commitment to Michigan State positions him to earn significant playing time on a roster with NHL prospects like Cayden Lindstrom and Ryker Lee, but without the depth of star power seen at programs like Penn State. This gives him a chance to be a leader and showcase his playmaking and physical style, accelerating his development.
- Adapting to a Pro-Style Game: The NCAA’s style of play is closer to the NHL’s, with structured systems and a focus on physical, mature competition. This aligns well with Martone’s power-forward style, allowing him to refine his game against players closer to NHL caliber, unlike the OHL, where he’s already dominated with 98 points in 57 games.
- NIL Financial Incentives: The NCAA’s Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities provide financial benefits. While specific details of Martone’s deal with Michigan State are unavailable, reports suggest Penn State offered him over $250,000, indicating significant earning potential in college hockey, making it an attractive option.
- Avoiding Stagnation in the OHL: Returning to the OHL, where Martone has already excelled, risks stunting his growth due to a less competitive environment, especially with a weakened Brampton Steelheads roster for 2025-26. The NCAA offers a fresh challenge, ensuring he continues to progress
- New CHL-NCAA Rules: The recent CHL-NCAA agreement allows players like Martone to move from Canadian junior leagues to the NCAA without losing eligibility, providing a unique opportunity to face stronger competition while maintaining flexibility for his professional career. This rule change makes the NCAA a viable and appealing path.
While Martone’s NHL readiness and performance at the 2025 IIHF World Championship suggest he could compete professionally, the NCAA offers a balanced path to hone his skills, gain physical maturity, and prepare for a stronger NHL Debut, aligning with the Flyers’ patient approach to prospect development.
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