While their season came to an end this past weekend, the Philadelphia Flyers will have some representation at this year’s IIHF Men’s World Championship as prospects Jack Berglund and Porter Martone will represent their respective nations.
Both Berglund and Martone have had fantastic seasons that have spanned multiple leagues as well as international hockey. Both prospects were captains at the most recent rendition of the World Junior Championship, with Berglund coming out on top with the gold medal.
The former 2nd round pick had a busy year having played in 40 games with Färjestad BK of the SHL, where he collected 7 goals and 12 points. Additionally, Berglund scored a goal in 5 games for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
At the World Juniors, he was a step above the rest of his competition, as he played a massive factor in Sweden winning their first gold medal since 2012. The captain notched 3 goals and 10 points in just 7 contests.
As for Martone, he has been particularly busy over the last calendar year after taking part in last year’s tournament for Canada. He was then drafted with the 6th overall pick, played out his season with Michigan State in the NCAA, and then joined the Flyers on their playoff push.
The Peterborough, Ontario native tallied 37 goals and 98 points with the Brampton Steelheads in the OHL before being selected by the Flyers. He also scored a goal in 3 games at the World Junior Championship as a draft-eligible rookie.
He then burst onto the scene for Michigan State with 25 goals and 50 points in just 35 games, which also played a factor in him being captain for Team Canada at the World Juniors. He finished the tournament with 6 goals and 9 points in 7 games.
While not being able to help Michigan State win the Frozen Four could be seen as a disappointing end to his rookie year, Martone quickly signed his entry-level contract with the Flyers, and was instrumental during their improbable playoff push.
He scored 4 goals and 10 points in just 9 games, which included points in all but two games, as well as a crucial overtime goal on the power play against Boston. If that wasn’t enough of an impact, Martone then scored both game-winning goals in Games 1 and 2 of their first round series against Pittsburgh.
While Martone was kept in check during the second round against Carolina, it wasn’t from a lack of trying, as he was either robbed by the post or Frederik Andersen time and again. Nevertheless, he finished his first bit of postseason action with 5 points in 10 games.
With many players bowing out of the World Championships due to injuries or rest, Berglund and Martone will be electing to play for their respective countries in what should be another star studded tournament.
Berglund will be playing alongside Anton Frondell and Lucas Raymond, as well as top draft-eligible prospects Ivar Stenberg and Viggo Björck.
Martone will be joining a Canadian roster that includes Sidney Crosby, Macklin Celebrini, Evan Bouchard, Ryan O’Reilly, John Tavares, Robert Thomas, and Gabe Vilardi, among others.
Canada and Sweden will be headlining Group B that also includes Czechia, Denmark, Italy, Norway, Slovakia and Slovenia. Team USA will be featured in Group A with Austria, Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Latvia, and Switzerland.
The tournament is taking place in Switzerland and will run from the 15th to the 31st of May. Berglund and Martone will be going against one another on the opening day of the event, when Canada meets Sweden at 10:20 AM (EDT).
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