The college hockey landscape could be changed forever as junior hockey players were given the go-ahead to play in the NCAA.
We’ve already seen big names head for the college ranks over their junior teams. Most notably, consensus 2026 top pick Gavin McKenna committed to Penn State over returning to the Medicine Hat Tigers. McKenna dominated in the WHL and was ready for a more challenging environment.
He joined Luka Misa, brother of recently drafted Michael Misa, and Jackson Smith, the 14th overall pick, as star-studded talent on the Nittany Lions roster. And thanks to NIL, players have even more of an incentive to take the college route. McKenna’s offer from Penn State was rumored to be around $700,000, the biggest package offered to a college hockey player.
It’s why the Flyers are expected to have serious conversations with Porter Martone on what he is going to do next. His options are rather obvious. He can come to training camp in the fall and take a serious run at the NHL. With Tyson Foerster’s injury, a spot has opened up. Martone can prove to the Flyers that he’s ready for the next step.
Similar to Jett Luchanko, the Flyers can give Martone a taste of the NHL and determine if he is ready. If they feel he’s not, he can be returned to the Brampton Steelheads in the OHL. However, the Steelheads are losing nearly all of their top producers, as well as their top goaltender. That may not be the best environment for Martone to return to.
There is another option that could be more intriguing and better for Martone’s development.
Martone can head to the NCAA for a year, face stiffer competition, and develop his game in an environment that offers players a stepping stone to the NHL. That would be the best place for him to be. But where could he go? Penn State has reportedly been an option for Martone, but it may not be the right one at this point.
For one, it took Penn State a large offer to bring McKenna in. How much would they have left to offer Martone? And would it be enough for him to make the decision? Penn State also has a stacked roster heading into the 2025-26 season.
Along with the names listed above, Charlie Cerrato will be returning for his sophomore campaign after a strong freshman season. Aiden Fink could come back for his junior season after leading the team in goals (23) and points (53). He was a seventh-round pick in 2023 and is looking like a steal for the Predators.
While Penn State looks to be a top program next season, there is a better place for Martone to look toward. Enter Michigan State. After losing out on McKenna, things weren’t all bad with Isaac Howard expected to return for his senior year after disputes with the Lightning. That was until his rights were traded to Edmonton. He subsequently signed his entry-level deal with the Oilers.
So Michigan lost out on a top prospect, and their star winger is NHL-bound. So what could they do now? They’ll be looking to bring in a big name, and that could be Martone. The Spartans roster has plenty of NHL prospects on it, including 2024 first-round pick Cayden Lindstrom. Lindstrom missed the entirety of last season due to injury, returning for the playoffs with the Hat Tigers.
Ryker Lee, a Predators first-round pick, is heading there as well. He excelled in the USHL, finishing fourth in goals and points in the league. The Spartans also have a top goaltending prospect in Trey Augustine returning for his junior year. Not to mention, they have another Flyers’ prospect on the roster.
Shane Vansaghi will be heading into his second year after he was taken by Philadelphia in the second round. The two could get an early start on their chemistry together. Karsen Dorwart could also put in a good word on the Spartans’ behalf.
Martone would have a better chance at earning top minutes on the Spartans roster. They boast talent, but not the flashiest of names aside from a few players. It would give Martone a better opportunity. If he can show that he can be a leader, the Flyers could bring him in late in the season like Dorwart.
The goal for Martone is to make the NHL roster, but a trip to Michigan could be his best option.
