At 8 p.m. last night, Michigan State hockey freshman forward Porter Martone called his future “a tough question.” At 1 p.m. today, he signed a three-year entry contract with the Philadelphia Flyers, which he will join for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.
Martone was drafted sixth overall to the Flyers in the 2025 NHL Draft. His departure follows MSU’s tough 4-3 overtime loss to Wisconsin, which ended its season and a chance at a Frozen Four.
“Honestly, right now I don't even know,” Martone said last night. “My time with the Spartans was, it was awesome. Filled with great memories and a lot of friendships, and we'll see what happens.”
Martone led the Spartans in goals and points (25-25—50) in 35 games. He missed two games to compete in the 2026 World Junior Championship, where he captained Team Canada to a bronze medal and ranked first in the tournament with six goals.
Martone’s 25 goals as a Spartan were first in the Big Ten. He was the only freshman to make the All-Big Ten First Team. He tallied three points in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, scoring the game-winning goal that advanced MSU to the Worcester Regional final.
Martone grew during his time as a Spartan, adding muscle in the weight room and building stamina. He got faster throughout the season and took longer shifts as the year went on. Those were the reasons he came to Michigan State: to become a better player and gain experience competing in a pro-style system, he said.
“He wanted to be part of a team,” coach Adam Nightingale said. “He wasn't looking for promises or guarantees. I think that excited him… We started recruiting him, it was a pretty, blunt conversation. ‘You want to play in the NHL, you need to get faster, you need to play with more pace, you need to get stronger.’ He totally agreed, and he's done that.”
He grew as a player and off the ice. Throughout the season, he spoke about learning to cook from roommate and sophomore defenseman Owen West, maturing and being around people he trusted. Martone said he has never been part of a team like Michigan State — one so close and united by a common goal.
“I really felt part of a family, and it was the best year of my life,” Martone said through tears. It was an environment that made him happy to show up and work everyday.
“Everyone was always involved in everything,” Martone said last night. “I had joy and I was happy to come to the rink… Yeah, we put in the work, but we had fun. And I think that goes to show how good of leaders our senior class was, and really brought everyone into the fight. It just, it's sad that it's over.”
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