John Farinacci Bio
John Farinacci is an American ice hockey forward born on February 14, 2001, in Red Bank, New Jersey. He currently plays for the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing around 185 pounds, he plays the center position and shoots right. Farinacci was selected 76th overall by the Arizona Coyotes in the third round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft before ultimately signing as a free agent with the Boston Bruins organization in 2023.
After a productive college career with the Harvard Crimson, Farinacci transitioned to professional hockey and has steadily developed within the Bruins system. He is recognized for his two-way play, hockey IQ, and leadership qualities, having served as team captain at both Dexter Southfield School and Harvard University.
Early Life and Background
John Farinacci was raised in Red Bank, New Jersey, where he developed his early passion for hockey. He attended the Delbarton School, a well-known preparatory program in New Jersey, before transferring to Shattuck-Saint Mary’s, a renowned hockey development school in Minnesota. Following his sophomore year, he transferred again to the Dexter Southfield School in Massachusetts to complete his final two years of high school.
During his senior year at Dexter Southfield, Farinacci was named team captain of the hockey team, an early sign of his leadership ability. His family background is steeped in hockey tradition: he is cousins with Chicago Blackhawks forward Ryan Donato, and his uncle, Ted Donato, went on to become his head coach at Harvard University. He is also the brother-in-law of Florida Panthers forward Brady Tkachuk, giving him strong ties to professional hockey from a young age.
Path to Professional Hockey
Farinacci’s path to the professional ranks began with strong performances at the prep school level, where his size, skating, and playmaking caught the attention of NHL scouts. His development at Shattuck-Saint Mary’s and Dexter Southfield helped him earn an invitation to represent the United States at the 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, where he scored five goals and two assists in seven games on the way to a gold medal.
Selected 76th overall by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Farinacci committed to play college ice hockey at Harvard University. He used the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks and the international stage to stay sharp during the pandemic-disrupted 2020–21 season. His combination of skill, character, and lineage made him a highly sought-after prospect even before he signed his first professional contract.
John Farinacci Career
Collegiate Career at Harvard (2019–2023)
Farinacci joined the Harvard Crimson for the 2019–20 season and made an immediate impact as a freshman, scoring 10 goals and 12 assists for 22 points in 31 games. His season, however, was cut short when the 2020 ECAC Hockey Tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ivy League’s decision to cancel winter sports the following year forced Farinacci to find other avenues to play, and he returned to the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL while also representing the United States at the 2021 World Juniors.
Back at Harvard for the 2021–22 season, Farinacci served as a key contributor despite a dip in production, registering 10 goals and nine assists for 19 points in 29 games. He helped the Crimson win the 2022 ECAC Hockey tournament and earn an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. In his senior year, Farinacci was named team captain, though he missed the early portion of the season recovering from herniated disc surgery. He returned on January 13, 2023, and produced five goals and 15 assists in 19 games. His final college appearance came in the 2023 NCAA tournament, a loss to Ohio State in which he scored Harvard’s lone goal.
Providence Bruins and Boston Bruins (2023–Present)
On April 12, 2023, Farinacci announced he would not sign with the Arizona Coyotes and instead tested the free agent market. He signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Boston Bruins on August 16, 2023, and was assigned to their AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins. In his first professional season, Farinacci scored 12 goals and 26 assists for 38 points in 71 games, while also contributing a goal and an assist in four Calder Cup playoff games before Providence was eliminated by the Hartford Wolf Pack.
Farinacci returned to Providence for the 2024–25 AHL season and continued his consistent development. On April 14, 2025, he was called up to the NHL roster for the first time and scored his first career NHL goal against the New Jersey Devils, his hometown team. He returned to Providence for the playoffs, where the team was eliminated by the Charlotte Checkers in the divisional round. On July 15, 2025, Farinacci signed a one-year, two-way deal to remain with the Bruins organization.
Driving Style and Strengths
Farinacci is recognized for his responsible two-way play, strong hockey sense, and ability to contribute in all three zones. He is a reliable faceoff man at the center position and uses his 5-foot-11 frame effectively along the boards and in tight spaces. His leadership has been a consistent theme throughout his career, from captaining prep and college teams to serving as a steadying presence in the AHL.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most memorable moments of Farinacci’s career is his gold medal at the 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships with the United States. He also recorded his first NHL goal on April 14, 2025, against the New Jersey Devils, and helped the Providence Bruins capture the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy as the AHL’s top point-getting team.
John Farinacci Career Wins
Farinacci’s professional career is still in its early stages, and his win totals are tracked primarily at the AHL level with the Providence Bruins. While individual game-by-game win counts vary by season, his consistent offensive contributions and team success have made him a steady contributor within the Bruins organization.
Providence Bruins Highlights
In his first AHL season, Farinacci posted 12 goals and 26 assists in 71 games, immediately establishing himself as a playmaking center. He scored a goal and added an assist in four Calder Cup playoff games, helping Providence reach the opening round. Across his AHL tenure, he has remained a top-six forward trusted in all situations, and his efforts helped Providence claim the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy.
John Farinacci Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Farinacci comes from one of hockey’s most well-connected families. He is the cousin of Chicago Blackhawks forward Ryan Donato and the nephew of Ted Donato, his head coach at Harvard University. Through these ties, he has been surrounded by professional-level coaching and competition from an early age.
Personal Life
Farinacci is the brother-in-law of Florida Panthers forward Brady Tkachuk, further extending his connections across the NHL. He was raised in Red Bank, New Jersey, and continues to be recognized for his ties to the New York–New Jersey hockey community. Farinacci remains focused on his professional development within the Boston Bruins organization.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024–25 season marked a major step forward for John Farinacci. He spent most of the year with the Providence Bruins, delivering consistent two-way play and serving as a key contributor in all situations. His leadership and steady production earned him a recall to the Boston Bruins on April 14, 2025, where he scored his first NHL goal against the New Jersey Devils in his debut game.
After his brief NHL stint, Farinacci rejoined Providence for the Calder Cup playoffs, though the team was eliminated in the divisional round by the Charlotte Checkers. He helped Providence capture the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy as the AHL’s top point-getting team, a major organizational achievement. On July 15, 2025, he signed a one-year, two-way extension to remain with the Bruins, setting up another important season in 2025–26.
