With the announcement of his commitment to Michigan State, Porter Martone is officially headed to the NCAA.

The Flyers’ top prospect, despite his wishes to join the NHL roster as soon as possible, has become yet another big domino to fall in the CHL-to-NCAA pipeline. Now, Martone will join a fantastic Spartans’ recruiting class that also includes Medicine Hat star Cayden Lindstrom and Nashville first-rounder Ryker Lee.

Beyond that, Martone will be teammates with fellow Flyers’ 2025 draft pick Shane Vansaghi, who will be a sophomore for the Spartans this year.

The NCAA is undoubtedly the right path for Martone’s development. Michigan State is a fantastic spot to do so. Yet, somehow, it still feels like the wrong decision.

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The Right Path

I have said this before and I will say it again. The plan for Martone should have been NCAA or the NHL–a return to the OHL should not, and was not in the cards. To me, that is more than half the reason that the NCAA is the right path for Martone.

Yes, the OHL is a top league, but Martone has already proven his talents are beyond the CHL. Will he be beyond the talent in the NCAA? Probably. But at least he will be playing against bigger and stronger competition, preparing for the NHL. With how big Martone is, the size and strength of his opponents will also play a key role in his development.

On draft night, Martone told the media that he wants to make the NHL as soon as possible, but to do so, he knows he needs to get bigger, stronger, and faster.

On draft night, Martone said it’s cliche, but he wants to get bigger, stronger, and faster. This is the right place to do so ⬇️ https://t.co/ctExohXaPs

— Will James (@wmjsports) July 21, 2025

Division 1 hockey facilities are no joke. NCAA athletes get taken care of. Martone will be able to get bigger, stronger, and faster at Michigan State. Between their insane facilities and nutrition plans, the NCAA is the best spot.

Not to mention that Adam Nightengale, his new head coach, is a great developer, and will only help Martone improve on his game. The Spartans under Nightengale have been a completely different program.

Let’s not forget that Martone has been a primary RW for most of his career. The Flyers see him as a player who can play on his off-wing. While you can learn a new position in the NHL, it’s a lot easier to do so in college, rather than the NHL.

Did Martone Make the Wrong Decision?

I cannot say enough good things about NCAA Ice Hockey. It really is the best spot for a young, talented player like Martone to continue developing. Yet, somehow, it still feels like Martone made the wrong choice.

There is always the chance that Martone did not make this decision. He wanted to make the NHL as fast as possible, but there is a deadline to enroll in a university to be eligable for NCAA. So, his choice was to go to college, or try to make the NHL roster and risk going back to Brampton.

With the current Flyers roster, it might have been hard for a still developing Martone to crack the top six, which is ultimately where he needs to be getting minutes.

So, it still sounds like he made the right decsion. The NCAA is where he needs to be. However, I do believe that he would have made the Flyers this season. Would it have been in a bottom six role? Absolutley. Regardless, I think Martone would have made the NHL.

If his goal all along was to make the NHL as soon as possible, he should have rolled the dice and tried to make it. The short of it all: Martone is taking the right path to become the best player he can possibly be, but he may have made the wrong decision.

Read More: REPORT: Porter Martone to the NCAA

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