Forward Porter Martone #94 of Team CHL skates against Team USA during the CHL USA Prospects Challenge at Canada Life Place on November 26, 2024 in London, Ontario. (Photo by Dennis Pajot/Getty Images)
(Photo by Dennis Pajot/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – With the NHL Draft less than four weeks away, the biggest overlying question surrounding the league’s newest franchise is very simple. Who will the Utah Mammoth pick at 4? Stepping into combine week, let’s take a look at potential prospects. Next up, right-wing Porter Martone.
Martone is an 18-year-old right wing from Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.
Selected fifth overall by the Sarnia Sting in the 2022 Ontario Hockey League Draft, Martone has transformed into a top 2025 NHL prospect with his elite hands, individual offensive brilliance and a relentless competitive drive.
After being traded to the Brampton Steelheads during the 2022-23 season, Martone has thrived with his new junior squad as he’s registered 169 points (70G, 99A) over the last two seasons.
Internationally, Martone has also been a primary contributor for Team Canada after winning gold at the 2024 U18 World Championships and Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Appearing on most mock drafts as a consensus top five selection, Martone is an incredibly talented power forward who prides himself on embarrassing defenses with an endless selection of moves, crafty playmaking and the occasional use of force.
Martone is a certified offensive menace in every sense of the word.
He attacks the net with ferocity, battles near the crease, undresses defensemen, directs traffic, consistently makes the right plays, is dangerous from any area and can anticipate the game before it happens.
Porter Martone. Steal. Dangle. Score. Celly.
Top-5 pick. #2025NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/zheNaNlWlf
— Hadi Kalakeche (@HadiK_Scouting) October 5, 2024
“Martone is the epitome of highly skilled power forwards. His ability to blend power and skill has made for a number of highly entertaining moments this season when watching him play,” Tony Ferrari of the Hockey News said of Martone.
Additionally, as demonstrated by the “C” on his chest, Martone is a fierce competitor and proven leader who doesn’t shy away from big moments and is willing to do whatever it takes to help his team win.
The most notable and consistent criticism of Martone heading into the draft is his skating.
Not that he’s a bad skater by any means, especially given his size, but his first few steps and agility leave a lot to be desired.
Additionally, while Martone doesn’t shy away from physicality and uses his size as an advantage, he could be more assertive in that area and fully embrace a complete power forward mindset.
While Matthew Schaefer and Michael Misa appear locked in for the No. 1 and No. 2 selections, the next few picks are tougher to predict.
With a collection of talented forwards and centermen, selections will likely come down to how the player fits and what the team needs.
Now, while Utah General Manager Bill Armstrong has repeatedly said they will take the best available talent at four, Utah needs size and scoring.
Martone just might be the answer.
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If he is in fact available when Utah is on the clock, it’s hard to argue that he wouldn’t be the most talented player on the board or fulfill what Utah is looking for.
Time and again, the Mammoth lacked overall physicality and a strong net presence during their inaugural season.
Watch Martone for just a few minutes and it quickly becomes clear that he could lift Utah in both areas and be a stellar selection at No. 4.
Following the conclusion of the Utah Mammoth’s inaugural season, the next notable event will be the NHL Draft on June 27 and 28.
After recently drawing the fourth overall draft pick in the 2025 NHL draft, each of Utah’s upcoming draft selections will be dressed in the new Utah Mammoth home sweater.
Full story: Utah Hockey Club Draws No. 4 Overall Pick In 2025 NHL Draft Lottery
