John Marino Bio
John Marino is an American professional ice hockey player who plays as a defenseman for the Utah Mammoth of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on May 21, 1997, in Easton, Massachusetts, he was selected 154th overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2015 NHL entry draft. After completing a collegiate career at Harvard University, Marino turned professional in 2019 and has since suited up for the Pittsburgh Penguins, the New Jersey Devils, and the Utah Mammoth. Known for his steady two-way play and right-handed shot, he has logged more than 300 NHL games across his first six professional seasons.
Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing around 181 pounds, Marino brings a compact, defense-first profile to the blue line. His journey from Massachusetts youth rinks to one of hockey’s most demanding positions reflects years of disciplined development at both the amateur and professional levels.
Early Life and Background
John Marino was the second of two sons born on May 21, 1997, in Easton, Massachusetts, to parents Jen and Paul II. He has a twin brother, Paul III, and the two boys have been linked to hockey from a very young age. Both boys weighed more than seven pounds at birth, and doctors initially suspected that one of them might be born with a medical condition. After Paul III was born with bowed legs, a doctor at Boston Children’s Hospital suggested that their parents enroll him in hockey lessons, explaining that the natural stride of the sport could help his legs straighten over time.
Impressed by the recommendation, Jen and Paul II decided to sign both of their sons up for hockey lessons when the twins were close to two years old. Growing up in the greater Boston area, Marino was surrounded by a passionate hockey community, and his early years on the ice helped him build the skating habits that would later define his game. The family environment emphasized athletics, structure, and persistence, qualities that carried him through every step of his development.
Path to Hockey
Marino’s competitive career began at the junior level with the South Shore Kings of the United States Premier Hockey League, where he gained valuable experience against older and more physically mature opponents. His play in that league caught the attention of NHL scouts, and in 2015 he was selected in the fifth round, 154th overall, by the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL entry draft. Following the draft, Marino spent a single season with the Tri-City Storm of the United States Hockey League, the top amateur league in the country, sharpening his game against top-tier junior talent.
After his USHL season, Marino committed to Harvard University of the ECAC, choosing the college route over immediate professional development. He played college hockey with the Crimson from 2016 to 2019, scoring his first collegiate goal on October 28, 2016, against Arizona State. During the 2016-17 season, his strong defensive work earned him Second Team All-Ivy League honors, validating his decision to pursue a longer amateur path before turning pro.
John Marino Career
Early Career (2019-2020)
On July 26, 2019, Marino was acquired by the Pittsburgh Penguins from Edmonton in exchange for a sixth-round pick, signaling that the organization viewed him as part of its defensive future. Less than two weeks later, on August 8, 2019, he signed a two-year entry-level contract and officially left the college ranks to begin his NHL career.
Marino made his NHL debut on October 8, 2019, in a Pittsburgh game against the Winnipeg Jets. He wasted little time adjusting to the league, scoring his first NHL goal on November 4, 2019, against goaltender Jaroslav Halak of the Boston Bruins. His rookie campaign, however, included a setback on February 6, 2020, when he sustained a broken cheekbone after being hit in the face by a Steven Stamkos slapshot during a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The injury forced him to miss the next 11 games, but he returned to close out the season.
Pittsburgh Penguins Breakthrough (2020-2022)
Prior to the 2021-22 season, Marino trained in Boston alongside Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin, skating in the mornings before working out at the home gym in Dumoulin’s garage in Charlestown. The off-season bond helped Marino refine his defensive game and adjust to a top-four role with Pittsburgh.
On January 3, 2021, Marino signed a six-year, 26.4 million dollar contract extension with the Penguins, a clear sign of trust from the franchise. Over the next year and a half, he became a reliable presence on the Pittsburgh blue line, logging important minutes in all situations and earning a reputation as a calm, positionally sound defenseman.
New Jersey Devils Era (2022-2024)
On July 16, 2022, Marino was traded by the Penguins to the New Jersey Devils in return for defenseman Ty Smith and a 2023 third-round pick. The move placed him on a young Devils team that was rising quickly through the Eastern Conference standings, and he quickly became a fixture on their back end.
During his time in New Jersey, Marino continued to play a steady, defense-first role, contributing to the Devils’ improvement as a team. He remained a key piece of the roster for two seasons, offering experience and leadership on a roster filled with emerging talent.
Utah Mammoth Era (2024-Present)
On June 29, 2024, the Devils traded Marino and a 2024 fifth-round pick to the Utah Hockey Club in exchange for a 2024 second-round pick and a 2025 second-round pick. The trade brought Marino to a franchise still establishing its identity in the NHL and gave him a fresh opportunity to anchor a growing defensive group.
Since joining the organization, which has since been branded the Utah Mammoth, Marino has continued to serve as a steady, right-handed defenseman. His experience in Pittsburgh and New Jersey has made him a stabilizing presence for a club looking to build a competitive foundation.
Driving Style and Strengths
Marino’s game is built on positioning, smart stick work, and reliable defending in his own end. He reads plays quickly, blocks shooting lanes effectively, and rarely forces risky decisions with the puck. His right-handed shot also gives him a natural fit on the right side of the defense pair, allowing his team to balance left and right shots on the blue line.
Notable Events and Milestones
Some of the most memorable moments of Marino’s career so far include his first NHL goal against the Boston Bruins in November 2019, his recovery from a broken cheekbone suffered against Tampa Bay, and his six-year contract extension with Pittsburgh in January 2021. His two major trades, first to New Jersey in 2022 and then to Utah in 2024, have also marked major turning points in his professional journey.
John Marino Career Wins
John Marino’s professional resume is defined less by individual goal totals and more by the consistent defensive contribution he has provided across three NHL organizations. While the available inputs do not verify specific career win counts, his progression from fifth-round draft pick to multi-year contract extension reflects a player valued for reliability, structure, and team-first hockey.
NHL Highlights
Marino’s NHL highlights include his debut on October 8, 2019, his first goal on November 4, 2019, and his role as a steady top-four defenseman for the Penguins and Devils. His selection to the Second Team All-Ivy League in 2016-17 also stands out as a key amateur milestone that helped launch his professional path.
Other Performances
Beyond the NHL, Marino gained valuable experience with the South Shore Kings of the United States Premier Hockey League and the Tri-City Storm of the USHL, where he developed the foundation for his professional game. His time at Harvard University, where he scored his first collegiate goal on October 28, 2016, against Arizona State, also marked a significant step in his growth as a defenseman.
John Marino Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
John Marino was raised in Easton, Massachusetts, by his parents, Jen and Paul II. His twin brother, Paul III, played a central role in bringing the entire family into the hockey world, beginning when a Boston Children’s Hospital doctor recommended hockey lessons to help straighten Paul III’s bowed legs. From that point on, both brothers grew up on the ice, sharing the same training and early competitive experiences.
Personal Life
Marino’s personal life remains largely private, with no verified public information about a spouse or children in the available inputs. His close bond with his twin brother and his strong ties to his parents continue to be a defining part of his story, shaping the discipline and family values that have guided his hockey career.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 season, John Marino is positioned as a veteran defensive presence for the Utah Mammoth following his June 2024 trade from the New Jersey Devils. His transition to a new organization has given him the opportunity to play a leadership role on a young and evolving roster, while his previous experience in Pittsburgh and New Jersey provides a stabilizing influence in the locker room.
Marino’s continued emphasis on defensive reliability and smart puck management is expected to remain central to his role with Utah. As the franchise builds its identity in a competitive NHL landscape, his steady two-way play should help set the tone for the team’s defensive structure throughout the season.
With a long-term commitment still ahead of him and a clear role on the blue line, Marino enters 2025 as one of the most experienced players on the Utah roster. His ability to log heavy minutes in all situations makes him a key figure to watch as the Mammoth work toward establishing themselves as a consistent NHL contender.
