By Ryan Dixon
It’s that period of the year when detailed scouting analyses are circulating widely among hockey club front offices. Scouts are examining players down to the finest details, searching for any small indicator or aspect of their performance that could reveal their potential, or lack thereof, at the next professional level.
This process leaves room for potential overthinking.
However, when it comes to Porter Martone, the powerful winger for the Brampton Steelheads, while you could certainly fill a notebook listing his many capabilities, it all boils down to one fundamental conclusion: This individual is inherently a hockey player.
“There are people who simply enjoy hockey, and then there’s the level of passion Porter Martone has for the sport and everything that encompasses it,” commented an executive from a competing OHL team. “The scoring ability, the relentless effort, the competitive spirit; he is a hockey player through and through, and that intensity is contagious.”
Last fall, Sportsnet published a feature on Martone as he prepared for the inaugural CHL-USA Prospects Challenge. In that article, Steelheads coach James Richmond recounted an anecdote about how strongly he urged Martone to take a break from the ice after concluding his first full season with Brampton, which directly preceded his gold medal performance with Canada at the 2024 U-18 World Championship in Finland.
Martone—who, notably, serves as Brampton’s captain, captained Canada in Finland, and was also the captain for the CHL entry at the prospects challenge—was fatigued and carrying some minor injuries. Richmond conveyed his plea to Martone and his family: “I was pleading with them to keep him off the ice for roughly six weeks,” he stated.
Richmond’s request was met with partial success. “I would ask him, ‘How does it feel [to be off]?’ And he’d respond, ‘It feels really good, but I really want to get back to skating!’”
Does that sound like a dedicated hockey player to you?
Here is a more detailed look at the player widely expected to be the first winger selected in the 2025 draft.
Player Profile
Team: Brampton Steelheads
Position: RW
Hometown: Peterborough, Ont.
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 208 pounds
Opponent`s Perspective
Martone exemplifies the classic power forward role, a sought-after archetype that teams frequently covet. This past year, he recorded 37 goals and 61 assists for a total of 98 points across 57 games, playing in all situations for Brampton. “If he wasn’t playing everywhere, he’d be yelling and screaming at me,” Richmond remarked, partly in jest.
Sportsnet’s Sam Cosentino describes Martone as “one of the purest shooters available in the draft class.”
Martone presents a difficult matchup for opponents due to his imposing physique, skilled hands, and often gritty or aggressive approach, making him unpredictable on any given night.
“You never quite know what kind of game he’s going to play,” the OHL executive noted. “He can showcase skill, he can play physically, he can play a tough, agitating game, or he can open up the ice. Some of his goals on one-on-one plays or penalty shots are true highlight-reel material. Playing against him is one of those experiences where you think, damn, I dislike playing against this guy, but I genuinely enjoy watching him.”
Corey Perry Comparison?
Martone receives, and seemingly embraces, comparisons to prominent power forwards in the sport today. Naturally, this conversation begins with Matthew Tkachuk, and it’s not unreasonable to project that Martone could eventually have a comparable impact in the NHL. The other player frequently mentioned is prime Corey Perry. This comparison is particularly fitting as both hail from Peterborough, shoot right-handed, and have worn jersey number 94 at different points in their careers.
“[Perry has] a long, lean build; Porter also has a long, lean build,” Richmond observed.
Ready for the NHL in October?
Earlier in the year, Martone was seriously considered as a potential candidate for the first overall selection. While that scenario is now less likely, with Matthew Schaefer widely projected to be taken first by the Islanders, it raises the question of whether Martone is the most probable player from this draft class to step directly into the NHL next autumn.
Typically, the only player from a draft year who makes the immediate jump to the NHL is the first overall pick. While Schaefer is certainly a contender for this, a couple of factors give pause. Firstly, he is a defenseman, which is an exceptionally challenging position for an 18-year-old in the NHL. Secondly, injuries limited Schaefer to only 17 games last season, making it understandable why a team might prefer him—especially given his position—to gain more experience in the OHL or NCAA.
Anton Frondell possesses professional size but is committed to another year in Sweden. Michael Misa, like Martone, has already completed three seasons in major junior, but even if he is ready for a new challenge, there is a significant chance he might opt for the NCAA against physically mature opponents.
Then there is Martone.
As a “late birthday” player born in 2006 for this draft, Martone will turn 19 in October and possesses the physical stature and strength to at least compete with professionals. Furthermore, as a winger, he would face slightly less defensive responsibility compared to players trying to jump to the NHL as defensemen or centers. It is quite conceivable that he could effectively play around 15 minutes per game on a third line, gaining valuable experience with minimal immediate pressure before potentially taking on a more significant role in a year or two.
Although Martone is no longer the prime candidate for first overall, he is definitely in consideration starting with San Jose at pick No. 2 and certainly by Chicago at third overall. While the option of playing in the NCAA presents a new dynamic and is a real possibility for many high-level major junior players, it’s plausible that a team could evaluate Martone and conclude he is prepared for the NHL now and would benefit most from learning within a limited role there.
One certainty is that this player will not be intimidated by anything.
Martone was originally drafted by the OHL’s Sarnia Sting but was traded to Brampton during his rookie season when Sarnia bolstered its roster with veterans for a championship push. The OHL executive we spoke with recalled witnessing Martone’s very first shifts in the league, facing off against one of the league’s powerhouse franchises.
“He showed no fear as a 16-year-old,” the executive stated. “I believe it was his first pre-season game at 16 with Sarnia in London, and he was already trying to fight guys. It was one of those moments where you realized this player is unique.”
When NHL organizations have that same feeling about a prospect, they typically don`t have to wait long to hear their name called on draft day.
Tristan Blackwood