Michigan State forward Porter Martone is the USCHO Rookie of the Year for the 2025-26 season.
Voting was conducted by USCHO.com staff members.
Martone turned in one of the most impressive rookie seasons in Michigan State Spartans men’s ice hockey history in 2025-26, emerging as both the team’s leading scorer and one of the most productive players in the NCAA.
Martone finished with 50 points on 25 goals and 25 assists in just 35 games, becoming one of only five freshmen in program history to reach the 50-point mark. His 25 goals rank second all-time among Spartan rookies, trailing only Rod Brind’Amour, who scored 27 during the 1988-89 season.
Despite missing two games while serving as captain for Team Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championships, where he helped lead his country to a bronze medal, Martone still paced Michigan State in scoring. On the national stage, he ranked second in the NCAA in goals per game (0.71) and fourth in points per game (1.43), underscoring his consistency and offensive impact.
Martone recorded at least one point in 29 of his 35 appearances and produced 17 multi-point games. His standout performances included a four-point effort (two goals, two assists) against Ohio State on Jan. 9 and a hat trick versus Notre Dame on Feb. 20. He also delivered in big moments, notching a multi-point game in an NCAA Tournament win over UConn.
His versatility was evident throughout the season, as he logged four 2-goal games and four multi-assist outings, including a 3-assist performance at Penn State’s Beaver Stadium on Jan. 31.
In total, he posted five games with three or more points.
Martone earned First Team All-Big Ten honors, was named to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team, and received a nomination for the Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the top player in college hockey.
A first-round draft pick in 2026, Martone made NHL debut for the Philadelphia Flyers on March 31, 2026 against the Washington Capitals. He scored first career NHL goal on April 5 against the Boston Bruins, becoming the first Flyer in history to score his first career goal in overtime. He became first teenager since 2019 to score goal in Stanley Cup Playoff debut on April 18 vs. the the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Ethan Wyttenbach of Quinnipiac was the runner up for the USCHO Rookie of the Year Award.