With August first well in the rearview mirror, and rosters already being set for the 2025-26 season, the Flyers will have eight prospects in the NCAA next year.

Among the eight, there are two OHL players, three returning players, two incoming freshmen from the USNTDP, and a USHL player. Four of the Flyers’ eight NCAA prospects were selected in the 2025 NHL Draft.

The major headline of the group is Porter Martone, the Flyers’ 6th-overall pick in this past draft, who is one of three players the Flyers have in the Big Ten this year. There are three Flyers’ prospects who will be playing for the Boston University Terriers this season. One prospect is making his return to the NCAA after leaving mid-way through last season for the OHL, and another will make his NCAA debut in the ECAC.

Who are the Flyers’ NCAA prospects, and what are the expectations this year?

Flyers’ Prospects in the Big Ten

Porter Martone headlines all of Philadelphia’s NCAA prospects, as he will take the ice in East Lansing, Michigan, this season for the Michigan State Spartans. Martone joins a talented freshman class, joining an already talented Spartans roster.

I doubt Martone attends any school where he isn’t guaranteed top-line minutes, at the very least top-six minutes on a National Championship contender. Briere likely made sure of that. So, I easily expect Martone to be playing on that top line, likely centered by former top-five pick Cayden Lindstrom.

With the talent he possesses, not to mention the talent around him, it’s hard to expect anything but a fantastic year from Martone. Maybe I am setting a little too high of expectations, but I see him being in the Hobey Baker conversation for most of the year.

Joining Martone in East Lansing is Flyers’ 2025 2nd round pick Shane Vansaghi. Last year, Vansaghi had a limited role with the Spartans, tallying 16 points with six goals and 10 assists in 37 games—his role: energy line winger. Vansaghi typically played low in the lineup and went out there as the high-motor, physical big-hitter. I’d expect Vansaghi to keep a similar role, even with all of the incoming talent, and even see an increase in production, especially on the power-play.

Rounding out the B1G players is another returner. Cole Knuble is heading back to Notre Dame for his junior season. He had a fantastic season in the 2C role for the Irish last season, scoring 39 points in 34 games with 12 goals and 27 assists. Knuble was stuck in the 2C role, behind Danny Nelson (NYI). Nelson is expected to return to South Bend, so I’d expect Knuble’s role to stay the same as well. If he can continue his success, I am sure the Flyers would be very happy.

The Three Terriers

The Flyers will have three players suiting up for Jay Pandolfo and the Boston University Terriers next season, including a transfer and a pair of second-rounders.

The first is Owen McLaughlin. McLaughlin, a Phoenixville native, transferred to BU from North Dakota. He has totaled 30+ points in each of his last two seasons in the NCAA, and will only look to better that with BU. The center is entering his senior season and will have to compete for minutes, but I do expect him to be a top-nine player for the Terriers.

Flyers’ 38th overall selection, Carter Amico, will also be playing for BU next season. Amico can be a unicorn. He has size, lock-down defensive ability, excellent mobility, and has offensive potential. The only reason he was a day two pick was because of a knee injury that sidelined him for an extended period of time. He is skating again, though who knows if he’ll play at the start of the year.

Amico is someone I see as at least a two-year NCAA player. Given the injury, I can see BU taking it easy, making it hard to predict what he’ll do.

Lastly, BU has Jack Murtagh, who was picked just two spots behind Amico. Murtagh is a forward who can play center or wing. He has a heavy shot, which he uses often, and can skate at full speed for days. Murtagh is an absolute grinder. He will be an absolute asset for the Terriers next season.

Though I wish he could play down the middle, his best fit and likely road to best production will come from the wing. I can see a middle-six winger role for Murtagh, finishing the year around the 30-point mark.

The Other Flyers’ Prospects in the NCAA

The Flyers have two remaining NCAA prospects to talk about.

The first, Noah Powell. Powell began last year in the NCAA, playing for Ohio State. He decided to leave mid-season to head to the OHL, where he found much better success for the Oshawa Generals. Powell turned some heads at Development Camp and will now return to the NCAA, playing for Arizona State in the NCHC.

The winger’s game is heavily reliant on his size and his ability to make a big-time shot. He is smart–Powell knows how to use his body to give himself space. The NCHC is very physical, so it should be great for Powell’s development. He is entering his sophomore season.

Lastly, Flyers’ 2024 fourth rounder Heikki Ruohonen will make his NCAA debut for Harvard in the ECAC.

The Finnish centerman tallied 16 goals and 23 assists for 39 points in the USHL last season. He also had a pretty solid year in U20 competition. Ruohonen plays a two-way game, paired with excellent offensive playmaking skills.

While I do expect him to thrive at Harvard, get top-six minutes, and play well, I am looking at the International season, as Ruohonen has set himself up for a big role with Finland at the World Juniors.

Is there a Flyers NCAA prospect you are most excited about?