(Header/feature image courtesy of Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

When the Philadelphia Flyers selected Porter Martone with the sixth overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, they didn’t just draft a player—they bet on a vision. A physically mature, detail-oriented forward with a pro-ready toolkit, Martone came into the draft with the polish of a player who might only need a year—or less—before turning pro. But in a decision that reflects his maturity just as much as his potential, Martone chose to take the NCAA route and commit to Michigan State for the upcoming season.

On the surface, it might look like a detour. But for Martone, it could be the perfect path to long-term success—and for the Flyers, a quietly brilliant development move.

So what can fans expect from Martone’s first NCAA season, and how might it help mold him into the kind of top-six forward Philadelphia needs?

Who is Porter Martone? A Quick Refresher

He’s not flashy in the traditional sense, but his game has layers: strong hockey sense, a pro-caliber shot, responsible play off the puck, and a frame that allows him to win battles and drive the middle of the ice.

In many ways, he’s already built like an NHL player. But Martone’s decision to attend Michigan State suggests he’s looking for more than a quick path to the show.

Why Michigan State?

The Spartans have become one of the most compelling developmental programs in the NCAA. Under head coach Adam Nightingale, Michigan State has shifted toward a fast-paced, skilled, and structured brand of hockey, mirroring many of the principles found in today’s NHL systems.

Here’s what makes MSU an ideal fit for Martone:

1. Puck Possession Focus

Martone brings a tantalizing combination of size (6-foot-3, 205 pounds), smarts, and skill. He’s the type of player who doesn’t just score—he dictates. A right-shot forward who can play either wing or center, he’s been praised for his poise with the puck, his ability to protect it in traffic, and his vision as a passer.

Michigan State plays a control-heavy style built around keeping the puck, supporting it through layers, and generating offense from below the dots. Martone’s strengths—his puck protection, timing, and vision—align beautifully with that philosophy. He’ll be empowered to hang onto the puck, make plays, and use his frame to create space in high-danger areas.

2. Defensive Structure and Accountability

Nightingale has emphasized two-way responsibility and intelligent puck management. For Martone, that means continued development as a 200-foot player—an area already considered a strength, but one that could be refined even further against older, more physically developed opponents.

3. Strong Supporting Cast

Martone won’t be alone in East Lansing. He’ll be joining fellow Flyers 2025 draftee Shane Vansaghi, a hard-nosed, physically assertive forward with a motor that never quits. That chemistry could translate into a dynamic duo that balances skill and grit.

Additionally, the Spartans return a solid veteran core and talented underclassmen, including players like Isaac Howard (EDM), giving Martone the chance to both drive a line and play within a competitive environment.

4. Top Facilities and Resources

Michigan State has invested significantly in its program—on and off the ice. With top-notch strength training, recovery, analytics, and video tools, Martone will have every resource he needs to continue growing—not just as a player, but as a professional.

How the NCAA Path Could Shape Him Differently

Many Flyers prospects in recent years—have taken the CHL (Tyson Foerster, Oliver Bonk, Denver Barkey) or NTDP (Cam York) routes. Those leagues offer constant game reps and high-octane competition, but the NCAA presents a unique development opportunity—and it's one that's so far served Philly's young talents quite well. (After all, Alex Bump and Bobby Brink did both win national championships in college with Western Michigan and the University of Denver, respectively.)

Although Martone did start out in the OHL with the Brampton Steelheads, here's how college could seriously benefit his development:

1. Time to Build Physically and Mentally

The NCAA’s shorter schedule (34–40 games plus playoffs) means more time for off-ice development. That allows Martone to continue building strength, stamina, and explosiveness in a structured way. With many of his qualities being close to or arrived at NHL-ready, this time can be spent refining balance, acceleration, and agility—areas that could push him from "ready" to "dominant."

Mentally, the college environment also cultivates leadership, time management, and maturity. Martone, who’s always been described as detail-oriented and driven, seems to value that.

2. More Practice Time, More Structure

College hockey offers significantly more practice and strength training time than junior leagues. That’s valuable for a player like Martone, whose game is built on nuance and decision-making, and who will surely welcome any chance to build up his physique for the big leagues. The increased opportunity to work with coaches, watch video, and drill systems will help sharpen his reads and execution.

3. Facing Older Competition

In the CHL, Martone would be going up against teenagers. In the NCAA, he’ll face men—players aged 21–24, many of whom have NHL futures themselves. It’s the kind of test that doesn’t just challenge skills, but forces adaptation. How do you handle forecheck pressure from a 23-year-old? How do you hold the puck along the boards against someone with five years of college muscle?

These aren’t just reps—they’re refinements.

What This Means for His NHL Readiness

Martone is already physically mature, yes, but the jump from junior hockey to the NHL is steep in pace, detail, and discipline. If Martone dominates at Michigan State the way many expect, he could make the transition after just one year—maybe even joining the Flyers late in the 2025–26 season, much like Cam York did coming out of the University of Michigan.

The key difference? Martone plays a heavier, more NHL-style game already. College hockey will reinforce the habits needed to make his transition seamless.

What to Watch This Season

For fans tuning into Michigan State this fall, here are the key markers to track:

Is he consistently impacting games? Look for shifts where Martone dictates pace, controls possession in the offensive zone, and makes smart plays in transition.

Can he elevate teammates? Martone isn’t just there to score—he should be the player that others play better alongside.

Is he defensively reliable? Watch his positioning on the backcheck, his decision-making in the defensive zone, and his ability to win puck battles down low.

Powerplay role: Expect Martone to be featured prominently, likely as a bumper or net-front presence where he can use his size and hands.

Faceoff responsibility (if he plays center): This could determine how the Flyers project him long-term. If he wins draws consistently and anchors his line, his future down the middle becomes more certain.

Final Thought: A Modern Power Forward in the Making

Porter Martone, with all of the hype and excitement he brought with him when the Flyers took him at sixth overall this year, is the kind of young player worth waiting for. He's the kind of player who makes winning plays. Smart. Patient. Heavy on pucks. Technically sound. Hard to play against.

His decision to go to Michigan State isn't a delay—it’s a deliberate step forward. It’s a signal that Martone, like the Flyers, is thinking long-term.

Because when he arrives in Philadelphia, he won’t just be “ready.” He’ll be prepared to thrive.