Brampton Steelheads’ Martone and Ivankovic Selected for Inaugural CHL USA Prospects Challenge
BRAMPTON, ON – Two rising stars of the Brampton Steelheads, Porter Martone and Jack Ivankovic, have been selected to represent the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) in the inaugural 2024 CHL USA Prospects Challenge. This new event, presented by Kubota Canada, will pit the CHL against USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program (NTDP) in a two-game series featuring some of the top prospects eligible for the 2025 NHL Draft.
The series will kick off on Tuesday, November 26 in London, Ontario, with the second game taking place on Wednesday, November 27 in Oshawa, Ontario. The event, added to the CHL calendar for the first time this season, promises to showcase the talent of players like Martone and Ivankovic, both of whom are expected to be key contributors.
Porter Martone, a 17-year-old right-winger, was named captain of the Steelheads on September 26. Currently ranked third in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in scoring with 20 points (10 goals,
10 assists) through nine games, the Peterborough native is widely regarded as a top-three prospect for the 2025 NHL Draft. Martone’s international resume is equally impressive. In May, he led Team Canada to a gold medal at the 2024 IIHF World Under-18 Championship, recording 17 points in seven games as the team’s captain.
Speaking about his selection for the CHL Prospects Team, Martone said, “I’m very honoured to be selected to the CHL prospects team. I’m looking forward to playing for the CHL Team and proudly representing the Brampton Steelheads at the event.”
Jack Ivankovic, a standout 17-year-old goaltender, has also earned his place on the CHL Prospects roster. Ivankovic, a Mississauga native, has been
stellar between the pipes for the Steelheads this season, posting a league-leading .936 save percentage and 1.71 goals against average across five games. He has consistently excelled on the international stage as well, having won three gold medals in the past year while representing Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, the U17 World Hockey Challenge, and the U18 World Hockey Championships.
Ivankovic expressed his excitement about the selection, stating, “It’s definitely a huge honour getting selected for this game, especially when it’s the first one playing the USA. I think anytime you play against the USA you always want to win.”
The CHL USA Prospects Challenge is set to be a must-watch event for hockey fans, as many of the players involved are expected to be top picks in the 2025 NHL Draft. Martone and Ivankovic’s inclusion in this prestigious event underscores their bright futures, both in the OHL and on the international stage.
The Brampton Steelheads continue to be a force in junior hockey, with these two standout players leading the charge. Fans of the team and hockey enthusiasts alike will be eagerly anticipating their performances in this high-profile challenge.
