Report: Flyers prospect Porter Martone to commit to Michigan State
One of the hottest prospects in hockey is also taking the college route.
According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Philadelphia Flyers draft pick Porter Martone is expected to commit to Michigan State.
We should get confirmation later today, but there is word that Porter Martone — taken 6th overall by the Flyers — will be going to Michigan State
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 21, 2025Martone, who was taken sixth overall by the Flyers in the 2025 NHL Draft, would be the second big-name prospect to join the NCAA ranks next season. The current favorite to go first overall in the 2026 draft, Gavin McKenna, announced his commitment to Big Ten rival Penn State earlier this month.
Martone joins an excellent program in East Lansing. Under head coach Adam Nightingale, the Spartans have won the Big Ten Regular Season and Tournament championships in each of the last two seasons, though they’ve fallen short in the national tournament. While MSU lost star forward and reigning Hobey Baker Award winner Isaac Howard, who signed with the Edmonton Oilers, they still have plenty of top-tier talent. Led by Detroit Red Wings goaltending prospect Trey Augustine and Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Cayden Lindstrom, the team is expected to be a force once again.
Prior to last season, many believed Martone was going to be the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft. However, thanks to the sharp rise of Matthew Schaefer and Michael Misa, Martone’s slipped down the draft board. However, that doesn’t take away from his ability to be an impact player. The Peterborough native is coming off his best season in the OHL, scoring 37 goals and 61 assists for 98 points while captaining the Brampton Steelheads.
Martone also represented Canada at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship and IIHF Men’s World Championship, losing in the quarterfinals each time. He has won some hardware in the past with Team Canada, including gold at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and the 2024 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship, as well as bronze at the 2023 U-18s.
Martone’s decision to play collegiately before turning pro comes after the NCAA Division I Council announced the rule change to allow former major junior players the opportunity to play college hockey in the U.S. Many teams have taken a swing at getting players from the Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League as a result.