Porter Martone Jumps from NCAA Freshman to NHL Playoff Contender

Porter Martone will make his NHL debut Tuesday in Washington. He suits up for the Philadelphia Flyers against the Capitals.

Rarity of the leap

This jump is unusual. Only 248 players with NCAA backgrounds made opening-night NHL rosters this season, about 34% of the league.

Far fewer move directly from college into the NHL in the same season they finish school. Adding the draft-year qualifier reduces that group to just 11 players since 2000, per Hockey Reference.

Where Martone fits

Martone will become the 12th player to accomplish this feat. He will also be just the sixth freshman to do so.

Filmogaz.com expects this trend to grow. A 2024 rule change now allows some prospects to play in the CHL while keeping NCAA eligibility.

Notable players who made the same jump

• Zeev Buium — Minnesota Wild (2025)

  Buium left Denver after two standout seasons, including an NCAA title in 2024. He was a 2025 Hobey Baker finalist and played four playoff games, recording an assist. He moved to Vancouver in December as part of the Quinn Hughes trade.

• Gavin Brindley — Columbus Blue Jackets (2024)

  Brindley played one regular-season game after his 2022-23 Michigan season. He had won Big Ten Player of the Year as a sophomore and now serves as depth for the Colorado Avalanche.

• Bradly Nadeau — Carolina Hurricanes (2024)

  Nadeau appeared in one NHL game during a season finale. He had 46 points in 37 games at Maine and now posts strong AHL totals with the Chicago Wolves.

• Kent Johnson — Columbus Blue Jackets (2022)

  Johnson joined Columbus after Michigan’s Frozen Four exit. He played nine games and registered three assists in 2021-22.
• Matty Beniers — Seattle Kraken (2022)

  Beniers moved from Michigan to the Kraken and scored three goals in 10 games. He won the Calder Trophy the following season.

• Owen Power — Buffalo Sabres (2022)

  Power, the 2021 No. 1 pick, signed with Buffalo after his sophomore season. He played eight games that year, notching two goals and an assist.

• Quinn Hughes — Vancouver Canucks (2019)

  Hughes joined Vancouver late in the 2018-19 season. He recorded three assists in five games and has since become an elite defenseman.

• Casey Mittelstadt — Buffalo Sabres (2018)

  Mittelstadt left Minnesota after a productive freshman year. He scored and added five points in his first six NHL games.
• Tyson Jost — Colorado Avalanche (2017)

  Jost jumped from North Dakota to Colorado in 2016-17. He scored one goal in six NHL outings that season.

• Clayton Keller — Arizona Coyotes (2017)

  Keller turned pro after one season at Boston University. He recorded two assists in three games, then became a top rookie the following year.

• Kyle Turris — Phoenix Coyotes (2008)

  Turris joined the Coyotes after his Wisconsin freshman year. He had one assist in three games and later enjoyed a long NHL career.

• Charlie McAvoy — Boston Bruins (2017)

  McAvoy skated in four AHL games before jumping into Boston’s 2017 playoff run. He logged three assists and valuable playoff minutes.

Context and outlook

Historically, this path has been rare. Only a handful of players produced significant NHL minutes immediately after college.

Teams now move faster on top prospects. That shift, plus eligibility rule changes, could increase similar transitions.

Porter Martone Jumps from NCAA Freshman to NHL Playoff Contender will be a frequent topic if he sticks with the Flyers. The organization and fans will watch how he adapts at the NHL level.