"Agent finally gave the kid script" "Disgraceful": Fans react as Canada captain Martone takes blame for no handshake with Czechia at 2026 WJC

Team Canada captain Porter Martone at the IIHF World Junior Championships stated he wasn't sure if he was going to play during the team's game against Team Latvia on Saturday. His actions against Team Czechia on Boxing Day led to a hearing.

During the game on Boxing Day, Matrone scored an empty-netter and while passing the Czechia bench, tapped Adam Novony in the back. He was given a two-minute unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Martone also apologized for his mistake on Saturday morning.

“We’ve been told about (discipline) since we got here, and I need to apologize for the actions I took yesterday at the end of the game,” Martone said. “That’s unacceptable, and that can’t happen. As the captain of this team, the leader of this team, it just sets a bad (example) for the rest of the guys.”

In a separate incident, Hockey Canada had to put a public apology for its team skating off the ice after the final hooter against Czechia. There were no handshakes offered by the team. After their 2-1 overtime win against Team Latvia, Martone took the blame for not leading his team to the center ice.

"Yeah, I think I put that on me too," he said. "That's another one of my errors and it's probably a tough first day being a captain for me. I made a couple of mistakes, but that's okay. We learned from that."

Fans took to X, reacting to Martone's comments, with many feeling that Martone was made the scapegoat for an entirely different incident as punishment for his actions.

Here are a few reactions:

"Sounds like his agent finally gave the kid a script," a fan wrote. "Disgraceful where are the coaches no wonder I don't watch this BS tournament," a fan said. "Tough for this kid to have to take the heat. It was an intentional thing Canada did to disrespect their opponent. Martone and others play NCAA and many IIHF events where handshakes are tradition. It wasn't an oversight, it was intentional," a fan commented. "Martone the martyr," a fan stated. "That's what a grown man does. I'm proud Porter stood up and took the heat. If there are anymore penalties inflicted on this young man hockey along with the entire world is in serious trouble," a fan added.

Gavin McKenna makes feelings known about Porter Martone's actions

After scoring the overtime winner against Team Latvia, Canadian star forward Gavin McKenna said that the team trusted their captain, Porter Martone, to lead them well despite all the controversy in the fiery opening clash.

"Yeah, it comes with being captain," McKenna said. "You got to go through a lot. You got a lot of responsibility and I think he's doing a good job. Obviously, emotions get to some people, but he's a smart guy. There's a reason he's captain, and we got a lot of faith in him."

Team Canada is looking to win the World Juniors after finishing outside the top four spots in the last two editions. Their discipline came under scrutiny last year, when they were eventually beaten by Team Czechia in the quarterfinals for a fifth place finish.

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Edited by R. Nikhil Parshy