Porter Martone is one of 22 players from the Canadian Hockey League eligible for the 2025 NHL Draft taking part in the 2024 CHL USA Prospects Challenge.
The inaugural event will feature a two-game series between some of the top prospects for the 2025 draft from the Canadian Hockey League and USA Hockey's National Team Development Program Under-18 Team. It will be played at Budweiser Gardens in London, Ontario, on Nov. 26 and at Tribute Communities Centre in Oshawa, Ontario, on Nov. 27.
The CHL players selected for the games, from the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League and Western Hockey League, were chosen by NHL Central Scouting after consultation with the 32 NHL teams.
"I think it's a great way to test same aged kids from all across North America in a two-game set," said David Gregory, associate director of scouting for NHL Central Scouting. "I think it's really a great scouting opportunity."
Martone (6-foot-3, 196 pounds), a right-shot forward who turns 18 on Oct. 26, is captain of Brampton of the OHL this season and leads the team with 20 points (10 goals, 10 assists). He led Mississauga (the franchise relocated to Brampton during the offseason) with 33 goals and was second with 71 points in 60 games last season. Martone had 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) in seven games and was captain for gold-medal winning Canada at the 2024 IIHF World Under-18 Championship.
"I like how Porter can play any type of game on the ice which will translate well at the next level," Nick Smith of NHL Central Scouting said. "He has elite hockey sense which allows him to slow the game down to the pace he chooses. He also has the elite puck skills and hands to take advantage of the time and space he creates, and he can play physical and will back it up."
Other top CHL players invited to be part of the games include forwards Michael Misa (Saginaw, OHL), Malcolm Spence of Erie (OHL) and Caleb Desnoyers (Moncton, QMJHL), defenseman Matthew Schaefer (Erie), and goalie Joshua Ravensbergen (Prince George, WHL).
"NHL general managers and scouting personnel are looking forward to the initial CHL USA Prospects Challenge series as it presents a unique competition missing on the scouting calendar, the best of the USA vs. the best of the CHL," director of NHL Central Scouting Dan Marr said. "No other event or tournament provides this best-on-best prospect rivalry, and fans are guaranteed two exciting games that will showcase some of the top talent of the 2025 NHL Draft class."
The CHL USA Top Prospects Game replaces the annual CHL Top Prospects Game, which featured more than 40 of the top draft-eligible players from the CHL facing off in a game.
The NTDP roster of players competing in the series will be finalized at a later date.
2024 CHL TOP PROSPECTS GAME ROSTER
GOALIES: Jack Ivankovic, Brampton (OHL); Joshua Ravensbergen, Prince George (WHL)
DEFENSEMEN: Kashawn Aitcheson, Barrie (OHL); Quinn Beauchesne, Guelph (WHL); Blake Fiddler, Edmonton (WHL); Reese Hamilton, Calgary (WHL); Cameron Reid, Kitchener (OHL); Matthew Schaefer, Erie (OHL); Jackson Smith, Tri-Cities (WHL)
FORWARDS: Carter Bear, Everett (WHL); Justin Carbonneau, Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL); Braeden Cootes, Seattle (WHL); Caleb Desnoyers, Moncton (QMJHL); Benjamin Kindel, Calgary (WHL); Lynden Lakovic, Moose Jaw (WHL); Brady Martin, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL); Porter Martone, Brampton (OHL); *Roger McQueen, Brandon (WHL); Michael Misa, Saginaw (OHL); Jake O'Brien, Brantford (OHL); Cole Reschny, Victoria (QMJHL); Cameron Schmidt, Vancouver (WHL); Malcolm Spence, Erie (OHL)
*Player was invited but unable to participate due to injury
