How will Porter Martone's NCAA decision impact the Flyers' long-term roster plans?
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
The 18-year-old powerhouse forward has officially committed to Michigan State, becoming the latest top-tier CHL player to capitalize on the NCAA's revised eligibility rules. His decision not only alters Philadelphia's short-term development plans but also opens up competition among several NHL hopefuls this fall.
Flyers prospect Porter Martone shocks OHL by leaving for NCAA career with Michigan State
Martone's journey through the 2024–25 season has been nothing short of relentless. As captain of the Brampton Steelheads, he dominated the OHL leaderboard, finishing tied for seventh with a staggering 98 points, including 37 goals in just 57 games.
His leadership extended internationally—he captained Canada's Under-18 squad to gold and later suited up in multiple international tournaments, including the World Championship in Europe, gaining rare early exposure to NHL-level competition.
"When I get to play in all those events, it's always a pleasure and an honour," Martone said during a July 3 interview with TSN 1050. He added, 'There are ups and downs in your draft year...
but the big thing for me was to focus on the process and focus on getting better.'
Martone's switch to college hockey comes just weeks after projected 2026 No. 1 pick Gavin McKenna committed to Penn State, signaling a growing trend among elite prospects looking to fine-tune their game in the NCAA. For the Flyers, Martone's decision removes one high-profile contender from this year's training camp, but it could prove beneficial for both player and franchise in the long run.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
What Martone's exit means for Flyers' depth chart battles?
With Martone out of the NHL conversation for now, the Flyers' competition at forward has shifted. Rookie Alex Bump has impressed management and remains a favorite to earn a spot, while Nikita Grebenkin—who already logged NHL minutes with the Leafs and made an impact in the AHL—also stands as a serious contender.
The opening left by Martone could provide a lifeline for fringe players like Rodrigo Abols or speedster Anthony Richard, particularly as the Flyers navigate cap constraints and lineup gaps.
Meanwhile, 2024 first-rounder Jett Luchanko, though promising, appears destined for another year of seasoning in the OHL after underwhelming last season and facing added competition from newly signed Christian Dvorak.
While Martone won't be in Flyers colors this season, his NCAA development may eventually sharpen his edge. And when he does return to the conversation—possibly as early as next summer—he could emerge not just as a roster hopeful, but a cornerstone.
FAQ:
1. When was Porter Martone drafted?
Porter Martone, the 18-year-old winger selected by the Philadelphia Flyers as the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.
2. Why did Porter Martone choose to play for Michigan State instead of joining the Flyers immediately?
Martone opted for Michigan State to continue his development under the NCAA's new eligibility rules, gaining valuable experience before turning pro.
3. Could Martone still join the Flyers in the near future?
Yes, he could return as early as next year, potentially with more maturity and readiness for the NHL level.
Also Read:
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
16 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Divya Deshmukh scripts history, reaches FIDE Women's World Cup final after beating former World Champion Tan Zhongyi
India's teenage superstar Divya Deshmukh's dream run at the ongoing FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 continues as she knocked out former World Champion China's Tan Zhongyi in the semifinal in Batumi on Wednesday, becoming the first Indian to reach the finals of this elite tournament. The 19-year-old stunned World No. 4 for the biggest win of her career. She handed Tan a loss in the second leg of their semifinal clash by white pieces to win the tie 1.5-0.5 after drawing the first leg with black pieces. Divya played a wild Alapin Sicilian Defense game to convert a match which ebbed and flowed both ways. The teenage sensation had earlier ousted second seed China's Zhu Jiner in the fourth round, before eliminating compatriot Harika Dronavalli in the quarterfinals. The India No. 2 Harika, who had already reached the quarterfinals in 2023 (the first Indian to make the top eight), took the quarterfinal clash to the tiebreaks after playing two draws in the Classical leg, but the youngster proved too good to handle for the 34-year-old Harika. Divya will take on the winner of the second semifinal played between top seed China's Lei Tingjie and India No. 1 Koneru Humpy. Divya's result meant two Indians can get a spot at the prestigious Candidate tournament. If Humpy qualifies for the final, she will also be assured of a Candidates spot. Even if she loses, Humpy will have another shot at making it into the World Championship challenger tournament. The FIDE Women's World Cup is the most crucial event in the World Championship cycle, offering three qualifying spots for Candidates. The Women's Grand Prix Series 2024-25 and the Grand Swiss provide two spots each, while the last is reserved for the highest-placed player in the 'FIDE Women's Events 2025-26' series. The winner of the Candidates will earn the right to challenge the reigning World Champion, in this case, China's Ju Wenjun.
Economic Times
an hour ago
- Economic Times
Hockey Canada Sexual Assault Case: A recap of events ahead of July 24 verdict
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The Hockey Canada sexual assault case , involving allegations against five members of the 2018 World Junior team , has gripped the nation and shaken the sport's reputation. The incident allegedly occurred during a post-tournament celebration, prompting a years-long investigation and intense public members of Canada's 2018 world junior hockey team - Michael McLeod Dillon Dube and Callan Foote - faced a trial after an incident that occurred in London, Ontario, in 2018. As the July 24 verdict approaches, the case remains a flashpoint for discussions on accountability, consent, and institutional transparency in Canadian sports. The upcoming verdict will mark a pivotal moment in a case that changed Canadian hockey's image 2022, a woman filed a lawsuit against Hockey Canada, alleging she was sexually assaulted by eight members of the 2018 World Junior team following a fundraising gala in London, Ontario. The incident reportedly occurred at the Delta Hotel in the early hours of June 19, 2018. Although police initially closed the case in 2019 without charges, the lawsuit - which sought $3.55 million and was settled - led to renewed public outcry and the reopening of the also revealed Hockey Canada had two secret funds for settling sexual assault and abuse claims. Charges were laid in early 2024 against five players. In her May testimony, the woman recounted drinking and dancing with several players at Jack's Bar on Richmond Street on that night. She agreed to return to the Delta Armouries Hotel for consensual sex with one of the accused, Michael McLeod. However, she testified that she was naked, intoxicated, and frightened when four other men unexpectedly entered the room. In that moment, she said, going along with what they wanted felt like the only 'safe' option. Prosecutors argued the players failed to seek voluntary consent, while defense lawyers countered she engaged willingly, seeking a 'wild night'.Five players - Carter Hart, Michael McLeod, Cal Foote, Dillon Dube, and Alex Formenton - have been charged with sexual assault in connection with the 2018 Hockey Canada case. McLeod also faces an additional charge of being a party to the offense. All five players have pleaded not guilty to the charges as the verdict after the trial had officially concluded earlier this of the players currently holds an active NHL contract. Hart previously served as the starting goaltender for the Philadelphia Flyers, while McLeod and Dube were regular contributors for the New Jersey Devils and Calgary Flames, respectively. Foote, the son of former NHL defenseman Adam Foote, spent much of last season in the AHL. Formenton, who played 109 NHL games with the Ottawa Senators between 2017 and 2022, had most recently been playing in Switzerland with HC Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia will deliver the verdict in the Hockey Canada sexual assault case, after dismissing the jury in May. The decision came following a complaint that some defense attorneys were seen laughing at members of the jury. As a result, the trial proceeded as a judge-alone case, with Justice Carroccia solely responsible for the final any of the accused are found guilty, a wide range of sentencing possibilities exists under Canadian law, with penalties for sexual assault ranging from no mandatory minimum to up to 10 years in prison, depending on the severity of the remains uncertain whether the players could return to the NHL if acquitted. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has stated that the league will wait for the legal process to conclude before making any decisions regarding their future in professional of the verdict, it's clear that all five players have already paid a significant price in terms of their professional hockey careers. Their names and reputations have been deeply impacted, and none currently hold active NHL contracts. To rise from this situation - like a phoenix from the ashes - will demand not only a Herculean mental effort, but also immense physical resilience. Whether or not they return to the ice, the road ahead is steep and uncertain, shaped as much by public perception as by the outcome in court.
Business Standard
5 hours ago
- Business Standard
45-year-old venus matches Navratilova with historic singles victory
Venus Williams wanted to send a message to herself and to others about coming back from a long layoff, about competing in a sport at age 45, about never giving up. Yes, there was something special about just being back on a tennis court Tuesday night. There also was this: She really, really wanted to win. And Williams did just that, becoming the second-oldest woman to win a tour-level singles match in professional tennis, delivering some of her familiar big serves and groundstrokes at age 45 while beating Peyton Stearns 22 years her junior by a 6-3, 6-4 score at the DC Open. "Each week that I was training, I was, like, Oh, my God, I don't know if I'm good enough yet.' And then there would be weeks where I would leap forward. And there would be two weeks where I was, like, Oh, God, it's not happening.' Even the week leading up, (I thought), Oh, my gosh, I need to improve so much more.' So it's all a head game, Williams said after her first singles match in more than a year and first singles victory in nearly two. Navratilova is the only woman older than Williams to win a singles match The only older woman to win a tour-level singles match was Martina Navratilova, whose last triumph came at 47 in 2004. The former No. 1-ranked Williams had not played singles in an official match since March 2024 in Miami, missing time while having surgery to remove uterine fibroids. She hadn't won in singles since August 2023 in Cincinnati. Until this week, she was listed by the WTA Tour as "inactive." "I'm just constantly praying for good health, so that way I could have an opportunity to play with good health," Williams said. "A lot of this for me is being able to come back and try to play at a level (and) to play healthy." Venus Williams won four Grand Slam titles before Peyton Stearns was born Backed by a crowd that clearly was there to see, and support, her at the hard-court tournament in the nation's capital, Williams showed glimpses of the talent she possesses and the skills she displayed while earning all of her Grand Slam titles: seven in singles, 14 in women's doubles all alongside younger sister Serena and two in mixed doubles. "I wanted to play a good match," Williams told the fans, then added a phrase that drew appreciative roars: "and win the match." In Tuesday's second game, Williams smacked a return winner to get things started, then delivered a couple of other big responses to break Stearns, a 23-year-old who won singles and team NCAA titles at the University of Texas and is currently ranked 35th. In the next game, Williams sprinted forward to reach a drop shot and replied with a forehand winner. The first chorus of cheers arrived when Williams walked out into the main stadium at the DC Open, a 7,000-seat arena that's more than twice as large as where she was for her doubles victory a day earlier. Another came when she strode from the sideline to the center of the court for the coin toss. The noise reached a crescendo when Williams began hitting aces at 110 mph and faster the way she used to. Keep in mind: Williams won four Grand Slam trophies before Stearns was born. Venus Williams hit big serves and groundstrokes just like she always did"She played some ball tonight, Stearns said. "She was moving really well, which I wasn't expecting too much, honestly. Her serves were just on fire. There also were moments where Williams whose fiance was in the stands looked as if it had been just as long as it actually has since she competed, including in the opening game, when she got broken at love this way: forehand wide, forehand into the net, forehand long, backhand long. At the end, it took Williams a bit of extra effort to close things out. She kept holding match points and kept failing to convert them. But eventually, on her sixth chance, Williams powered in a 112 mph serve that Stearns returned into the net. That was it: Williams smiled wide as can be, raised a fist and jogged to the net to shake hands, then performed her customary post-win pirouette-and-wave. It's not easy. It won't be easy. It's not easy for anyone out here, said Williams, who next faces No. 5 seed Magdalena Frech, who's 27. So I know I'll have to fight for every match. But I'm up for that.
