PHILADELPHIA – First-round draft picks usually come to the NHL with a lot of hype but don’t always live up to that hope.
In the case of Porter Martone, the Flyers believe the player will be worth the publicity.
On Sunday, one day after Martone’s Michigan State Spartans were eliminated from the NCAA championship tournament, the Flyers signed the Peterborough, Ontario, Canada native to a three-year entry-level contract.
The Flyers selected Martone with the sixth overall pick in last year’s NHL Draft.
Prior to Sunday night’s game against Dallas, Flyers general manager Daniel Briere was all smiles. This kid could be a game-changer for now and the years ahead.
“It’s exciting for the organization to have him signed,” Briere said. “To join our team coming down the stretch here where we’re playing meaningful games. Give him a chance to be around the guys and see how they prepare and how the intensity is.”
Briere wouldn’t commit to when Martone might make his NHL debut. It could come as early as Tuesday’s game in Washington but there are several matters to get completed before he can play.
“We’re not closing down the window for Tuesday,” Briere said. “Assuming that everything goes according to plan, paperwork to be done, doctors’ appointments to be done as well. We’re hopeful that Tuesday could be a game but we’ll see. I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself.”
Just a year ago, Martone had to decide whether to dip his toe into NHL waters or try his hand at NCAA hockey after a strong career in junior hockey.
“For us, it was exciting for us to get him on our side,” Briere said of Sunday’s signing. “I want to say how thankful we are to Michigan State, the coaching staff and how Porter embraced the role of going there and how much he developed there this year. We give Michigan State credit for that.
“We think he’s pretty close to being ready to play in the NHL.”
Briere was asked how the Michigan State experience benefitted Martone.
“I think it’s the way he developed physically,” Briere said. “It’s the biggest reason for encouraging the move to the NCAA this season. It’s kind of a stepping stone from junior to the NHL. Developing his body, getting stronger. The amount of time he spent in the gym. Almost going from a teenager to a man.
“His play on the ice spoke for itself. We’ve seen how dominant he was.”
Flyers coach Rick Tocchet said he wasn’t sure when Martone might be ready to dress for his first NHL game.
But when he does get in, good things are bound to happen.
“It’s just the way he plays the game,” Tocchet said. “I’m not going to put a tag on him, that he’s the (NHL veteran) Corey Perry type. Those are hard to find. Excited to have a guy like that.
“Feel bad about them (Michigan State) losing (to Wisconsin) because they were a team picked to go far. They were a really good team, I feel bad for them.”
A right wing, the 19-year-old Martone has been successful throughout his junior and collegiate careers.
This past season he recorded 25 goals/50 points in 35 games for Michigan State.
Prior to that, the 6-foot-3, 204-pound Martone was a proficient scorer at the junior hockey level.
Playing for Mississauga and Brampton, he posted seasons of 33 and 37 goals. In the latter campaign, he wound up with 98 points.
As for the hype, Martone is already generating a lot of media noise, especially in his native Canada.
In an article penned by Ryan Dixon of @dixononsports, Brampton Steelheads coach James Richmond probably summed up Martone’s potential best.
“He’s got size,” Richmond said. “He’s got speed, he’s got skill, he’s got toughness.”
A couple years back, Martone served as captain of the Canada squad which won the U-18 gold medal in Finland.
At one point in his junior career, Martone was projected to be a No. 1 overall pick.
People throughout the Ontario Hockey League liked what they saw.
“He was not scared as a 16-year-old,” one OHL executive said. “I think it was his first pre-season game as a 16-year-old with Sarnia in London, he was trying to fight guys. It was one of those things where you thought, this guy is different.”
No doubt, if Martone makes an impact it will enhance the Flyers’ playoff chances these last couple weeks. But Briere doesn’t want to set the bar too high.
“The players are realistic,” Briere said. “They’re not expecting Porter to come in and be a savior. Far from that. For us, giving him the chance to grow. Get the experience of playing some meaningful games.”
Briere said playing in meaningful games so late in the season can be beneficial for all the team’s young players, including Alex Bump, Matvei Michkov and Denver Barkey.
“This is a tremendous experience for all our players,” Briere said. “I think it’s really good for the growth of this team, preparing them for the future.
“At the same time, we hope we can keep climbing, surprise people and sneak our way into the playoffs. That would be amazing.”
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