Forward Porter Martone brings focus, dedication and talent as Canada's captain in his second IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship.
photo: © International Ice Hockey Federation / Chris Tanouye
In 2023, Porter Martone celebrated with his Canadian teammates after Macklin Celebrini scored the 4-3 overtime winner versus Slovakia in the IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship bronze medal game in Basel, Switzerland.
But realistically, Canadians always focus on winning gold in IIHF competition. And so Martone is grateful – as the lone returning Canadian for 2024 in Finland – to get a second crack at a U18 Worlds title. Being named captain won’t hurt the 17-year-old’s prospects for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, especially as he led Canada to first place in Group B.
Enjoying great chemistry with Medicine Hat Tigers prodigy Gavin McKenna, this gifted, level-headed Mississauga Steelheads winger has easily surpassed the six points he recorded in seven games in 2023. After getting a goal and four assists in the 11-3 dispatching of Kazakhstan, Martone sits third in the tournament scoring race with 13 points behind the U.S.'s James Hagens (16 points) and McKenna (14 points).
Martone, who hails from Peterborough, Ontario, set new personal highs in his second OHL season (33-38-71 in 60 games) and added six points in the playoffs, matching his rookie post-season total.
IIHF.com sat down with Martone recently.
How does it feel to be returning to this tournament?
It’s pretty cool. Last year I got to win a bronze medal, but ultimately, it wasn’t our goal. So coming back this year, all of us are striving for one goal, which is to win a gold medal. Hopefully we can do that.
How would you compare Switzerland, the 2023 host country, to Finland?
They’re quite different. Switzerland, as I remember, was a bit warmer, and it was sunny all the time. Here, the sun’s come out the past couple of days, but when we first got here it was snowing, and there was lots of snow.
You’re the captain of Team Canada this year. How does it feel to have that role?
It’s pretty cool to be the captain of my country. But we have lots of good leaders in that room and everyone kind of takes it in their own way. Just being recognized is pretty cool. But like I said, we’re all leaders and we’re all in this together.
What is the biggest strength that you provide to the team?
I feel like one of my strengths is leadership, being a positive influence on everyone throughout the day. You try to put a smile on everyone’s face and go into games with a positive attitude. Even if we’re down 1-0 or 2-0, you just try to stay positive and contribute to the team.
Do you have any special memories from growing up and playing hockey as a kid?
There was an outdoor pond behind my house in Peterborough. My dad would make that rink for me and my buddies every year. And with World Juniors, I remember watching Team Canada going out there and I was kind of dreaming of playing for Team Canada. Now I’m here, it’s kind of surreal.
A lot of great players played junior with the Peterborough Petes, like Steve Yzerman, Mike Ricci, and Eric Staal. Who are some of the Peterborough players that you’ve met?
My dad [Mike Martone] played for the Petes in [the 1990’s]. Then there was a guy named Matt Puempel when I was younger, who was kind of a good influence on me. And two years ago my family took a billet player named Chase Stillman [chosen #29 overall by the New Jersey Devils in 2021]. So he lived with us and he became really close to us. I’ve seen plenty of great Petes players come through over the years. Watching games at the [Peterborough] Memorial Centre has been a highlight of my life for sure.
What have you learned within the last year of playing in the top division?
I’ve learned a lot. It’s been good. I've grown as a hockey player and as a person. Just being able to have this gift to play hockey is amazing, but it’s what you do with it. When little kids come to the game, you’ve got to maybe get them a puck or a high-five, try to make their day, because maybe one day they'll be playing up in this top division.
So you’re eligible for the draft in 2025. Even though it’s still over a year away, how much does that idea impact your game right now?
It’s definitely cool that you're playing in front of all these scouts and trying to impress them every time you come out. Even though it’s a year away, these games still matter a lot with what they see. From what coaches have told me in the past, scouts want winners. So hopefully, we can continue playing here and go on a little run here.
What would it mean for you to play in the NHL?
It’d mean everything. It’s been a dream of mine since I was a little kid to play in the NHL and win a Stanley Cup. So if that one comes true one day, it’ll be surreal.
Your Mississauga teammate Ryerson Leenders made his tournament debut in net against Switzerland. How would you describe him both on and off the ice?
He’s one of my good buddies from Mississauga. We’ve been together for about two years now and we’ve grown really close. To see him get that start and play it as well as he did, it was amazing. He’s making everyone back home proud. He’s a great kid. He’s funny, he’s calm, he’s relaxed, and he’s a great goalie.
Who means the most to you and how have they shaped the person you are today?
I’d have to say my dad and my mom. Like I said, my dad played hockey, and he’s been there for me through my junior career. When I was a little kid, he kind of taught me. My mom was a really great role model. And they both love me very much. It’d be everything for them to make my dream come true because they’ve done so much for me throughout these years.
Best advice you've ever been given?
Fulfill your dream and stay where your feet are. Things go by very quickly in this tournament, so you want to live every moment of it. These are things that happen once in a lifetime. So you’ve got to live in the moment.
What’s your favourite thing about hockey?
Being with all my buddies, all my friends. You create bonds that last a lifetime, and they’re like your family. This group here has come together really, really close. So I know we’ll all stay in touch for a long time to come.
This interview was conducted by IIHF.com’s Shanna Rumble and has been edited for length and clarity.
But realistically, Canadians always focus on winning gold in IIHF competition. And so Martone is grateful – as the lone returning Canadian for 2024 in Finland – to get a second crack at a U18 Worlds title. Being named captain won’t hurt the 17-year-old’s prospects for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, especially as he led Canada to first place in Group B.
Enjoying great chemistry with Medicine Hat Tigers prodigy Gavin McKenna, this gifted, level-headed Mississauga Steelheads winger has easily surpassed the six points he recorded in seven games in 2023. After getting a goal and four assists in the 11-3 dispatching of Kazakhstan, Martone sits third in the tournament scoring race with 13 points behind the U.S.'s James Hagens (16 points) and McKenna (14 points).
Martone, who hails from Peterborough, Ontario, set new personal highs in his second OHL season (33-38-71 in 60 games) and added six points in the playoffs, matching his rookie post-season total.
IIHF.com sat down with Martone recently.
How does it feel to be returning to this tournament?
It’s pretty cool. Last year I got to win a bronze medal, but ultimately, it wasn’t our goal. So coming back this year, all of us are striving for one goal, which is to win a gold medal. Hopefully we can do that.
How would you compare Switzerland, the 2023 host country, to Finland?
They’re quite different. Switzerland, as I remember, was a bit warmer, and it was sunny all the time. Here, the sun’s come out the past couple of days, but when we first got here it was snowing, and there was lots of snow.
You’re the captain of Team Canada this year. How does it feel to have that role?
It’s pretty cool to be the captain of my country. But we have lots of good leaders in that room and everyone kind of takes it in their own way. Just being recognized is pretty cool. But like I said, we’re all leaders and we’re all in this together.
What is the biggest strength that you provide to the team?
I feel like one of my strengths is leadership, being a positive influence on everyone throughout the day. You try to put a smile on everyone’s face and go into games with a positive attitude. Even if we’re down 1-0 or 2-0, you just try to stay positive and contribute to the team.
Do you have any special memories from growing up and playing hockey as a kid?
There was an outdoor pond behind my house in Peterborough. My dad would make that rink for me and my buddies every year. And with World Juniors, I remember watching Team Canada going out there and I was kind of dreaming of playing for Team Canada. Now I’m here, it’s kind of surreal.
A lot of great players played junior with the Peterborough Petes, like Steve Yzerman, Mike Ricci, and Eric Staal. Who are some of the Peterborough players that you’ve met?
My dad [Mike Martone] played for the Petes in [the 1990’s]. Then there was a guy named Matt Puempel when I was younger, who was kind of a good influence on me. And two years ago my family took a billet player named Chase Stillman [chosen #29 overall by the New Jersey Devils in 2021]. So he lived with us and he became really close to us. I’ve seen plenty of great Petes players come through over the years. Watching games at the [Peterborough] Memorial Centre has been a highlight of my life for sure.
What have you learned within the last year of playing in the top division?
I’ve learned a lot. It’s been good. I've grown as a hockey player and as a person. Just being able to have this gift to play hockey is amazing, but it’s what you do with it. When little kids come to the game, you’ve got to maybe get them a puck or a high-five, try to make their day, because maybe one day they'll be playing up in this top division.
So you’re eligible for the draft in 2025. Even though it’s still over a year away, how much does that idea impact your game right now?
It’s definitely cool that you're playing in front of all these scouts and trying to impress them every time you come out. Even though it’s a year away, these games still matter a lot with what they see. From what coaches have told me in the past, scouts want winners. So hopefully, we can continue playing here and go on a little run here.
What would it mean for you to play in the NHL?
It’d mean everything. It’s been a dream of mine since I was a little kid to play in the NHL and win a Stanley Cup. So if that one comes true one day, it’ll be surreal.
Your Mississauga teammate Ryerson Leenders made his tournament debut in net against Switzerland. How would you describe him both on and off the ice?
He’s one of my good buddies from Mississauga. We’ve been together for about two years now and we’ve grown really close. To see him get that start and play it as well as he did, it was amazing. He’s making everyone back home proud. He’s a great kid. He’s funny, he’s calm, he’s relaxed, and he’s a great goalie.
Who means the most to you and how have they shaped the person you are today?
I’d have to say my dad and my mom. Like I said, my dad played hockey, and he’s been there for me through my junior career. When I was a little kid, he kind of taught me. My mom was a really great role model. And they both love me very much. It’d be everything for them to make my dream come true because they’ve done so much for me throughout these years.
Best advice you've ever been given?
Fulfill your dream and stay where your feet are. Things go by very quickly in this tournament, so you want to live every moment of it. These are things that happen once in a lifetime. So you’ve got to live in the moment.
What’s your favourite thing about hockey?
Being with all my buddies, all my friends. You create bonds that last a lifetime, and they’re like your family. This group here has come together really, really close. So I know we’ll all stay in touch for a long time to come.
This interview was conducted by IIHF.com’s Shanna Rumble and has been edited for length and clarity.