Porter Martone made a splash in his NHL debut for the Flyers on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena. The 19-year-old forward, picked sixth overall in the 2025 NHL Draft from Michigan State, had just inked a three-year entry-level deal with the Flyers after wrapping up his freshman season.
Martone didn't play in Sunday’s game against Dallas but hit the ice for the high-stakes divisional clash on Tuesday, with the Flyers in the thick of a playoff push. Reflecting on his debut, Martone shared, “It’s pretty special.
You dream of this as a little kid. You never think it will come true.
I remember seeing all these peoples’ rookie laps during games, and now it’s me. That was pretty cool, and it was a dream come true.”
Logging between 16:13 and 16:53 of ice time, Martone led the Flyers with five shots on goal and boasted impressive stats, including a 72.18 xGF%. Though the Flyers mounted a comeback, they ultimately fell short, losing 6-4. Martone skated alongside players like Travis Konecny and Christian Dvorak during various shifts.
Hailing from Peterborough, Ontario, and a standout at Michigan State with 50 points in 35 games, Martone bypassed the AHL entirely. The Flyers contemplated debuting him at home later in the week but chose Tuesday for its playoff stakes.
Flyers’ Head Coach Rick Tocchet praised Martone’s performance, noting, “As the game wore on, he started to come into his own. He had about three or four chances; he’s going to score. You can tell he’s got it.”
Martone’s debut marks a significant milestone, and he’s already making a strong impression in the NHL spotlight.