In hockey, there are teams and there are families. Teams are ran by five individual skaters on the ice. Families are ran by one blended group all working towards the same goal. The Philadelphia Flyers have created a family going into this upcoming hockey season.
Porter Martone is the new kid on the block
All the news has been surrounding Porter Martone since the Flyers signed him at the end of last season, right before their playoff push. From his first game, Philly knew he had what it took to be a Broad Street Bully and he proved everyone right with his 10 points and time in the penalty box.
With the 2026-27 season about to begin, Martone took to The Players Tribune to give his Philly family something to cheer for. He shares stories from his life, his time looking up to Flyers legends like former captain Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmonds, and exactly why he was always meant to end up in the city of brotherly love. But more than that, he shares how his teammates made him feel like he was exactly where he belonged.
From teammates to roommates
In Martone's piece, he talks specifically about the strong culture in their locker room.
"I remember he (Coots) got up to speak during the series against Pittsburgh, and I noticed how everyone in the room was completely locked in and just hanging on every word."
Martone was mesmerized by the effect the captain had on everyone. As a rookie, just stepping into his role, it's important that he felt comfortable. Teammates Garnet Hathaway and Trevor Zegras made sure he felt just that.
"Garnet Hathaway invited me and Bumper over for dinner just to welcome us in. Zegras had us over, too. He's a younger guy, but he's kind of taken us under his wing."
Before long, Martone moved in with Trevor Zegras, along with Christian Dvorak and Denver Barkey. Without meaning to, the Philadelphia Flyers have created their very own band of brothers.
The Philadelphia Flyers have always lived in the mantra of, "Maybe next year." With their first playoff entrance in years, Martone is not ready to step off the gas until the job is done. He ends his heart warming piece by reminding everyone of one simple thing.
"But the season ending the way it did? I'm not about that. Not one bit. But we've got so much more to give, to become. I promise you that."
Martone is ready to go to war for the city of Philadelphia and the family he has found here.
People can tell when they are surrounded by greatness, when things are finally about to change. The Flyers have spent decades trying to get back to their Broad Street Bullies era. Despite the name, this era wasn't just about fighting; it was about family. Punches were thrown, and brothers were born. The Flyers have their veteran leaders in Couturier and Konecny, followed by the middle children of Zegras and Owen Tippett, and lastly, the prized newborns of Porter Martone and Alex Bump.
Now that the family is complete, maybe this is the year for the Flyers.
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