VOORHEES, N.J. – Right player, right place, right time.
How much better could it be for Porter Martone, who was playing college hockey three days ago, to land with the hottest team in the NHL on a roster loaded with youngsters like himself?
Martone, who was signed to a three-year entry-level contract with the Flyers on Sunday, took to the Flyers Training Center ice for the first time (an informal workout) on Monday.
Afterwards, he couldn’t help but smile. There’s a chance the 19-year-old from Ontario, Canada could make his debut on Tuesday night in Washington, D.C. against the Capitals.
What little boy skating around the ice back in the day hasn’t dreamed about this moment?
“Ever since you were a kid, it’s kind of a dream,” Martone said. “It’s kind of surreal that it’s here. I’m really happy to be part of this organization and be a Flyer.”
The way things stand now, the Flyers need all the help they can get. A talent such as Martone’s certainly can’t hurt the cause.
“It’s awesome,” Martone said. “I’ve been following the Flyers the whole season. You know right now is the most exciting time of the year. You can kind of have that push to get into the playoffs.
“You don’t want to look too far ahead in the standings but you know they’re right there. Just being able to come into this group and you know the Flyers have a great room down there. I’m excited to join and just help any way I can.”
The Flyers took Martone with the sixth pick in last year’s draft. They gave their blessing for him to play a year at Michigan State and both Martone and Flyers general manager Daniel Briere agreed it was the right move.
Martone indicated the year in between junior hockey and the pros was beneficial. When he arrived at East Lansing, he weighed 198 pounds. When he left, he was up to 210 and had lowered his body fat three percentage points.
The Flyers had off on Monday after back-to-back wins over Detroit and Dallas. They are 8-1-1 in their last 10 games and the 17 points are the most in the NHL over that stretch.
So they had a deserved day off. That allowed Martone to ease into his first day here. He was joined by players recovering from injury such as Tyson Foerster and Noah Juulsen, plus Garrett Wilson.
Martone said it was tough to lose and have Wisconsin end MSU’s season in overtime. The Spartans were looking to do big things in the Frozen Four.
“We were hoping to go on a deep run and hopefully make the Frozen Four,” Martone said. “I loved our game. It was an unfortunate loss to Wisconsin. They’re a really good team.
“Woke up the next morning and started thinking about what’s next. I have the opportunity to come to the Flyers and join them in the playoff push. That was a no-brainer for me.”
At the 2025 development camp, Martone developed some good bonds with Flyers staff, including special advisors such as John LeClair and Patrick Sharp. It made him feel a part of the Flyers even though the official relationship didn’t start until Sunday.
“The Flyers were great through that whole process,” he said. “Thinking back to that camp, trying to make decisions what I was going to do for my hockey career. Picking Michigan State, looking back, was the best decision I ever made.”
Martone was asked what skill sets might have improved over the past year with the Spartans.
“I think I just rose my identity as a player of what I need to do to be successful,” he replied. “Play below the hash marks, play in front of the net. Coach (Adam Nightingale) told me if you’re going to play in the NHL, you have to play at a faster pace.
“That’s something I really worked on there. The college game is a lot faster than junior. That transition from junior to pro, college is the perfect stepping stone.”
Arriving at Xfinity Mobile Arena for Sunday night’s Flyers-Dallas Stars game was a kick because he got a chance to meet everyone in a live action setting.
“Getting to meet everyone last night was special,” he said. “To come away with a big overtime (2-1) win was even better. You just see how much fun they’re having. And how tight that group is. I’m excited to join them.”
Can he pick up coach Rick Tocchet’s systems in a timely fashion?
“Just continue to learn every single day,” Martone said. “I don’t think it’s going to happen over night. I think this group is going to be perfect to teach me the ropes. (Today) They were already teaching me the O-zone system a little bit. D-zone as well. Just trust the way I play and I’m sure I’ll fit in.”
Martone said he received well-wishes over the internet from players such as Travis Konecny, Foerster and Travis Sanheim.
It’s no secret Martone can play a physical game when the situation calls for it.
“I think I kind of learned to be on that fine line (physical, but not taking penalties). I don’t want to be in the penalty box the whole game,” Martone said. “Because I think I’m more valuable on the ice. Learn to manage your emotions.”
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