John Marino (born May 21, 1997) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the Utah Hockey Club in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers, 154th overall, in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

John Marino
Marino with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2019
Born (1997-05-21) May 21, 1997 (age 27)
Easton, Massachusetts, U.S.
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 181 lb (82 kg; 12 st 13 lb)
Position Defense
Shoots Right
NHL team
Former teams
Utah Hockey Club
Pittsburgh Penguins
New Jersey Devils
NHL draft 154th overall, 2015
Edmonton Oilers
Playing career 2019–present

Personal life

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Marino was the second of two sons born on May 21, 1997, in Easton, Massachusetts, U.S.,[1] to parents Jen and Paul II.[2] Both Marino and his twin brother Paul III weighed over seven pounds, leading doctors to believe one of them would be born with a condition.[3] After Paul III was born with bowed legs, a doctor at Boston Children's Hospital suggested their parents enroll him in hockey lessons.[4] This was because the stride needed for hockey could allow a natural process for his legs to straighten. Jen and Paul II thus decided to enroll both of their sons in hockey lessons at nearly two years old.[2]

Playing career

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Amateur

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Marino played junior hockey with the South Shore Kings in the United States Premier Hockey League before he was selected in the fifth-round, 154th overall, by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. After a single season with the Tri-City Storm in the United States Hockey League (USHL), he committed to a collegiate career with Harvard University of the ECAC.

Marino played college hockey at Harvard from 2016 to 2019.[5] He scored his first collegiate goal on October 28, 2016 against Arizona State.[6] In 2016–17, Marino was named Second Team All-Ivy League.[7]

 
Marino defending against Carl Hagelin in February 2020

Professional (2019–present)

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Pittsburgh Penguins

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On July 26, 2019, Marino was acquired by the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a sixth round pick.[8] On August 8, 2019, he left the college ranks as he was signed to a two-year, entry-level contract with the Penguins.[9]

Marino made his NHL debut on October 8, 2019, in Pittsburgh's game against the Winnipeg Jets.[10] He scored his first NHL goal on November 4, against Jaroslav Halak of the Boston Bruins.[11] On February 6, 2020, in a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Marino sustained a broken cheekbone after getting hit in the face by a puck from a slapshot by Lightning’ captain Steven Stamkos.[12] This injury would cause Marino to miss the next 11 games.

Prior to the start of the 2021–22 season, Marino trained with Brian Dumoulin in Boston. Together, they would skate before working out at the home gym in Dumoulin's garage in Charlestown.[13] On January 3, 2021, Marino signed a six-year, $26.4 million contract extension with the Penguins.[14]

New Jersey Devils

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On July 16, 2022, Marino was traded by the Penguins to the New Jersey Devils in return for Ty Smith and a 2023 third-round pick.[15]

Utah Hockey Club

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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.[16]

Career statistics

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2012–13 South Shore Kings EJHL 37 3 31 34 12 6 0 3 3 6
2012–13 South Shore Kings EmJHL 39 4 31 35 12
2013–14 South Shore Kings USPHL 34 6 11 17 16 5 0 2 2 2
2014–15 South Shore Kings USPHL 49 4 24 28 42 5 0 2 2 6
2015–16 Tri–City Storm USHL 56 5 25 30 43 11 0 2 2 6
2016–17 Harvard University ECAC 35 2 13 15 24
2017–18 Harvard University ECAC 33 2 14 16 10
2018–19 Harvard University ECAC 33 3 8 11 20
2019–20 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 56 6 20 26 20 4 0 1 1 2
2020–21 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 52 3 10 13 8 6 0 0 0 6
2021–22 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 81 1 24 25 23 7 0 1 1 2
2022–23 New Jersey Devils NHL 64 4 14 18 20 12 0 4 4 0
2023–24 New Jersey Devils NHL 75 4 21 25 41
NHL totals 328 18 89 107 112 29 0 6 6 10

Awards and honours

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Award Year
USHL
Clark Cup champion 2016
College
All-Ivy League Second Team 2017

References

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  1. ^ "John Marino". Elite Prospects. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Crechiolo, Michelle (July 20, 2022). "Marino: Brother in a Time of Adversity". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  3. ^ Vensel, Matt (October 21, 2019). "How his twin brother, a doctor and Kevin Stevens helped get John Marino to the Penguins". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on October 23, 2019. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  4. ^ Nesbitt, Stephen J. (January 14, 2020). "John Marino didn't come out of nowhere, and here's the dented dryer to prove it". The Athletic. Archived from the original on September 29, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  5. ^ "John Marino". Harvard.
  6. ^ "Special Teams Success Drives No. 13/13 Men's Hockey Past Arizona State, 7-0". Harvard. October 28, 2016.
  7. ^ "No. 2/2 Men's Hockey Sweeps Ivy League Yearly Awards". Harvard. March 2, 2017.
  8. ^ "Edmonton Oilers trade marginal prospect John Marino for a draft pick | Edmonton Journal". July 26, 2019.
  9. ^ "Penguins sign John Marino to a two-year, entry-level contract". Pittsburgh Penguins. August 8, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  10. ^ "Jets storm past Penguins, end 18-game skid in Pittsburgh". NHL.com.
  11. ^ "Homecoming King". NHL.com. 30 September 2023.
  12. ^ Adam Gretz (February 7, 2020). "Report: Penguins' John Marino sidelined with broken cheek". nbcsports.com. NBC Sports. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  13. ^ Crechiolo, Michelle (September 28, 2021). "Dumoulin and Marino 'Pushed Each Other Hard' This Summer". National Hockey League. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
  14. ^ "Pens Re-Sign Marino to Six-Year, 26.4 Million Dollar Contract Extension". National Hockey League. January 3, 2021. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  15. ^ "Marino Acquired by Devils". NHL.com. July 16, 2022. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  16. ^ "Utah Hockey Club Acquires John Marino and 2024 Fifth Round Draft Choice (COL) From the New Jersey Devils". National Hockey League. June 29, 2024. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
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