Photo via Brampton Steelheads @OHLSteelheads
Peterborough native Porter Martone has secured his spot on Team Canada’s roster for the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship. Martone will be the first Peterborough native to represent Canada since Barrett Hayton captained the team in 2020.
Despite there being no Peterborough born players on the roster since Hayton, the city has still been well-represented over the last three tournaments, with three former Peterborough Petes suiting up for Canada. Mason McTavish was on the team in 2022, while Owen Beck and Brennan Othmann both played in 2023. Beck also returned for the 2024 tournament.
Martone is no stranger to competing for his country, leading Team Canada to gold at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship earlier this year, while passing Connor Bedard for most career points by a Canadian in the tournament.
The current captain of the Brampton Steelheads has had a standout OHL season, ranking second in the league in points (54), fourth in goals (21) and first in assists (33).
With the 6’3, 210-pound Martone on the roster, the team gains not only a big skilled forward but also a proven leader ready who has a tack record of thriving in big games.
There’s also another local connection on the team, with Ennismore’s Sean Young named as the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the fourth year in a row. Young is the Director of Conditioning for the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s.
Canada’s World Juniors campaign kicks off on Boxing Day with a 7:30 game against Finland, and Peterborough will no doubt be watching closely as Martone carries the city’s proud hockey legacy onto the international stage.
(Written by: Scott Arnold)
