Porter Martone Set for Second World Championships Appearance Amid Busy Season Porter Martone isn’t quite ready to hang up the skates and put away his bag for the summer, even after what has been a whirlwind year. At his end-of-season media availability at the Flyers’ locker room clear-out day on Tuesday, Martone revealed he will join Canada for the World Championships in Switzerland. The tournament, running from Friday through May 31, will mark Martone’s second time participating in the event after he played two games last season. “I think right now my focus is to try to win a gold medal, and that’s going to be another surreal opportunity for me. And I’m excited to do that,” Martone said. The Canadian senior team will be Martone’s fourth team of the year after he started the season with Michigan State, captained Canada to bronze at the World Juniors, and joined the Flyers at the end of March for the stretch run and playoffs. The 19-year-old excelled at every stop, ranking fourth in the country in points per game (1.43) with the Spartans after scoring 25 goals and 50 points in 35 games. He added six goals and nine points in seven games at the World Juniors before becoming an integral part of the Flyers’ playoff push with four goals and 10 points in nine regular-season games. Martone tallied two goals and five points in 10 playoff games and was consistently among the Flyers’ most dangerous forwards in the postseason. “For me, I love playing this game. And it’s tough to take me off the ice, and it’s tough to turn down a chance to represent your country,” Martone said of representing Canada. “It’s always a huge honor whenever you get asked. So I’m really excited, and should be a fun time.#world_championships #michigan_state #canada #flyers #porters_martone
Flyers Struggle to Find Offense as Foerster Adjusts to Playoff Role Tyson Foerster, a key forward for the Flyers, has faced challenges in the postseason, posting eight games with no goals, no assists, and a plus-minus of zero. This performance contrasts with his strong regular-season output, where he recorded 13 goals and 17 points in 29 games with a plus-8 rating after returning from a 49-game absence due to arm surgery. As the Flyers enter Game 3 of their playoff series against Carolina, the team is seeking contributions from players like Foerster, Matvei Michkov, and Trevor Zegras to turn the series around. Head coach Rick Tocchet emphasized that Foerster’s lack of offensive production has not been detrimental to the team. “He’s not costing us stuff,” Tocchet said after practice. “I know he’s not getting the goals, but I’m a big believer that if you’re not scoring goals, you can’t be a liability. He’s not a liability at that end, so at least he’s doing that right.” Tocchet acknowledged the difficulty of adapting to playoff pressure, noting that Foerster’s return to form is expected. “The goals will come,” he said. “He’s too good of a player. He’s been out for a long time, and this is playoff pace. You have to play those reps in your mind but also live it. I thought he was better last game. I’m not worried about him offensively, but he’s done a real good job of not being a liability for us.” Foerster himself remains focused on his role, prioritizing defensive contributions and minimizing mistakes. “It’s my job and the coaches’ job,” Tocchet added, highlighting the team’s approach to balancing offensive and defensive responsibilities. “Even TK (Travis Konecny) is not scoring. You have to give them confidence by giving them credit with the other (defensive) things.#travis_konecny #flyers #rick_tocchet #tyson_foerster #carolina
Bryce Harper is keeping close tabs on Flyers’ playoff push: ‘Just awesome to see’ SAN FRANCISCO — Bryce Harper, a Golden Knights fan, tuned in to watch the Flyers’ overtime victory over the Boston Bruins on Sunday, even as the Phillies traveled from Colorado to California. The game, which secured the Flyers’ first playoff berth since January 12, was a moment Harper couldn’t miss. He followed the action closely, flipping to the broadcast just in time to see rookie Porter Martone score his first NHL goal on the power play, sending the Flyers into playoff position. Harper praised the game’s intensity, calling it “just awesome to see.” He highlighted the dramatic nature of the overtime scenario, where the Flyers faced a five-on-three advantage, emphasizing the pressure and excitement that comes with such moments. “You’re five-on-three, you better score,” he said, reflecting on the game’s unpredictability. Martone, a 19-year-old winger who joined the Flyers after his college team, Michigan State, was eliminated from the NCAA Tournament, made his NHL debut on March 31. His goal came just days after Phillies pitcher Andrew Painter made his MLB debut, marking a rare alignment of new talent in both leagues. Harper took to TikTok to celebrate Martone’s achievement, acknowledging the rookie’s impact on the Flyers’ season. Harper, a Las Vegas native, has been a Golden Knights fan since the team’s founding in 2017. He described the Stanley Cup playoffs as a transformative experience for a city, and he hopes the Flyers can replicate that energy in Philadelphia. “It’s exciting to see what that looks like in Philly,” he said. “The Flyers have had huge success early in the franchise, but it’s been a little tough in recent years. I’m excited to see what playoff hockey is all about.#michigan_state #philadelphia #bryce_harper #flyers #porter_martone
