Porter Martone’s rookie season already gave Flyers fans a lot to like, but the 19-year-old also had a story that landed on the other end of the spectrum this week: the most embarrassing moment of his hockey career.
At the NHLPA Rookie Showcase in Chicago, Martone talked with ESPN’s Emily Kaplan and opened up about a memory from his draft year in the OHL Cup Finals. The game felt massive to him at the time, and he said he was trying to help after a defenseman broke his stick on a shot and a breakaway developed.
“ Martone: My draft year, we’re in the OHL Cup Finals. It’s like the biggest game of my life at that point.
This is like the Stanley Cup for me at this age. And I think we were losing 2-1.
Our D-man broke a stick, and as he skated back, they got a breakaway. So I tried to huck my stick from the bench to give to our defenseman and it lands in the other guy skates and trips him, and they kicked me out of the game.
I played five shifts and I don’t know why I did it. I remember I was bawling my eyes out because it’s like the biggest day of my life.
And we ended up losing too, so it kind of made it worse.”
The moment wasn’t just a story Martone told from memory. Video later surfaced showing the play, and it matched his description: he threw his stick from the bench, it ended up in the opponent’s skates, and he was ejected.
He did at least get on the board before the exit, scoring a goal in a game his team lost 6-2. Michael Misa had a huge night for the Mississauga Senators, finishing with a hat trick and two assists.
Martone’s path after that moment wound through Mississauga as well, though in a different chapter of his career. He spent time with the Steelheads in between stints with the Sarnia Sting and Brampton Steelheads, and months after that final minor hockey memory, he was drafted fifth-overall by the Sting.
The showcase also brought out a lighter Martone story from his first NHL moments. He was asked about his rookie lap on March 31 in Washington, and he explained why he went out without a helmet.
“ Martone (on not wearing a helmet for his rookie lap in warmups): Actually, I was getting dressed and I didn’t really decide. I looked in my stall and there’s no helmet in there.
I think either the trainers or the guys on the team took my helmet, so I kind of had no other choice. I remember I went over to the sink, put some water in my hair and went out there.
But yeah, it’s pretty cool. You kind of get a little bit of nerves kind of skating out there, but once you get on the ice, it’s just the game you play and the game you love to do.”
That debut came only three days after Michigan State’s season ended against Wisconsin, and Martone’s year has been packed ever since. He played 57 regular-season games and six playoff games with the Steelheads, plus three World Junior games, before joining Team Canada at the World Championships last May.
Then came a 35-game season at Michigan State, where he used off days for weight training. He also captained Canada at the World Juniors and put up nine points in seven games.
After that, he joined the Flyers for 19 total games, and once that stretch ended, he again played for Canada at the World Championships, finishing with five points in 10 games.
For a 19-year-old, that’s a heavy load. Martone said the part of his routine that keeps him going is simple.
“Definitely my pregame nap,” he said when asked what part of his pregame routine he’s most obsessed with. “I could shut it down for like three hours if I wanted to.”
With the Calder Trophy buzz already around him, Martone’s next step with the Flyers is one plenty of people will be watching closely.
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