John Farinacci: From Prep School to NHL Prospect

John Farinacci, born on February 14, 2001, in Red Bank, New Jersey, has been an intriguing hockey player from a young age. He began his hockey journey playing for the New Jersey Colonials and later moved on to play prep hockey at the Delbarton School. Farinacci’s talent was evident early on, and he transferred to Shattuck-Saint Mary’s, a renowned hockey program, to further hone his skills. Farinacci is the nephew of Ted Donato and cousin of Ryan Donato.

Collegiate Career at Harvard

Farinacci committed to play college hockey at Harvard University, where he had a successful freshman year, scoring 10 goals and 12 assists for 22 points in 31 games. Unfortunately, his sophomore season was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but he continued to develop his game by playing for the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL and representing the United States at the 2021 World Junior Hockey Championships, where he scored five goals and two assists in seven games1.

Returning to Harvard for his junior year, Farinacci’s production dipped slightly, but he played a crucial role in helping Harvard win the 2022 ECAC Hockey tournament. He was named captain of the Crimson for the 2022-23 season, showcasing his leadership qualities.

Professional Career and Scouting Report

Farinacci was drafted 76th overall by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. However, he chose to sign with the Boston Bruins as a free agent in 2023. He spent the 2023-24 season with the Providence Bruins in the AHL, where he scored 12 goals and 38 points in 71 games. The season started out very well for Farinacci but he hit the proverbial rookie wall and his production slipped in the second half. Having never played more than 31 games in a season, it was all new to him.

This season was the opposite. After scoring just 3 goals and 3 assists in his first 18 games, he has been on fire with 3 goals and 19 assists in his next 25 games.

Scouting Report

Farinacci is known for his strong two-way game and high hockey IQ. He possesses a quick release and a powerful shot. However, it’s as a playmaker that is his bread and butter with excellent vision and passing skills. His defensive awareness and ability to play in all situations make him a valuable asset to any team. Farinacci’s leadership qualities and work ethic have been praised by coaches and teammates alike4.

Potential Path to the NHL

Farinacci looks like he has created a path to the NHL for himself. He could have chosen the easier path with the Coyotes but instead, believed in his abilities and has the work ethic to make the best of it with Boston. With a solid season in the AHL under his belt, he is poised to compete for a spot on the Boston Bruins’ roster as early as next season. His ability to play a strong two-way game and contribute offensively will be key factors in his opportunity in the big league. Farinacci’s dedication to improving his game and his leadership qualities make him a strong candidate to become a reliable bottom-six forward for the Bruins.

In conclusion, John Farinacci’s journey from prep school to NHL prospect has been marked by hard work, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. As he continues to develop his game, there’s no doubt that he has the potential to see NHL ice.

In case you missed it, here are the players we previously looked at: Michael DiPietro; Georgii Merkulov; Brett Harrison; Fabian Lysell; Frederic Brunet; Trevor Kuntar; Riley Duran.