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, Marino was selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the fifth round, 154th overall, of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. He began his professional career in 2019 after completing a three-season collegiate run at Harvard University and has since played for the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New Jersey Devils before joining Utah.
Standing 185 centimeters tall and weighing 82 kilograms, Marino is recognized for his two-way play and steady presence on the blue line. Over the course of his NHL career, he has logged significant minutes in all situations and earned a long-term contract with the Penguins before being moved in separate trades to New Jersey and then to Utah.
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 and his twin brother, Paul III, each weighed more than seven pounds at birth. After Paul III was born with bowed legs, a doctor at Boston Children’s Hospital suggested that the family enroll him in hockey lessons, explaining that the stride required for the sport could allow his legs to straighten naturally. Their parents decided to sign both boys up for hockey lessons when they were nearly two years old.
Growing up in Easton, Marino spent his formative years immersed in the game alongside his brother. The early introduction to hockey shaped his development and laid the foundation for a career that would eventually take him to the highest level of the sport. His family’s steady support, including the decision to put both children on the ice, became a defining part of his upbringing.
Path to Hockey
Marino played junior hockey with the South Shore Kings of the United States Premier Hockey League, where he developed into a draft-eligible prospect. After a single season with the Tri-City Storm of the United States Hockey League, he committed to a collegiate career with Harvard University of the ECAC. His performance in junior leagues convinced the Edmonton Oilers to select him in the fifth round, 154th overall, in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
Marino played college hockey at Harvard from 2016 to 2019, where he continued to refine his defensive game. He scored his first collegiate goal on October 28, 2016, against Arizona State, and in 2016–17 he was named Second Team All-Ivy League. These achievements helped position him for a smooth transition to professional hockey once his time at Harvard concluded.
John Marino Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
On July 26, 2019, Marino was acquired by the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a sixth-round pick. He left the college ranks on August 8, 2019, after signing a two-year, entry-level contract with the Penguins. Marino made his NHL debut on October 8, 2019, in a Pittsburgh game against the Winnipeg Jets, and he scored his first NHL goal on November 4, 2019, against goaltender Jaroslav Halak of the Boston Bruins.
Marino’s first NHL season was interrupted on February 6, 2020, when he suffered a broken cheekbone after being hit in the face by a puck from a Steven Stamkos slapshot during a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The injury caused him to miss 11 games. Prior to the 2021–22 season, he trained with Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin in Boston, skating and working out together at Dumoulin’s home gym in Charlestown. On January 3, 2021, Marino signed a six-year, $26.4 million contract extension with Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Penguins Era (2019–2022)
Marino spent his first three professional seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins after being acquired in July 2019. He quickly earned the trust of the coaching staff and became a regular on the blue line, contributing in even-strength and penalty-kill situations. His poise and reliability helped him establish himself as a top-four defenseman in one of the league’s most competitive organizations.
During his time in Pittsburgh, Marino developed into a player capable of logging heavy minutes against opposing top lines. The long-term extension he signed in January 2021 reflected the organization’s belief in his trajectory, and his summer training sessions with Brian Dumoulin became a hallmark of his preparation habits.
New Jersey Devils Era (2022–2024)
On July 16, 2022, Marino was traded by the Pittsburgh Penguins to the New Jersey Devils in return for defenseman Ty Smith and a 2023 third-round pick. The move gave Marino a fresh opportunity with a young, fast-paced Devils team. He continued to log significant minutes on the back end and provided a steady defensive presence during a period of growth for the franchise.
Marino played two seasons in New Jersey, contributing to the team’s playoff push and helping establish a more competitive defensive core. His two-way play and experience made him a trusted option for the coaching staff before the organization decided to reshape its roster.
Utah Mammoth Era (2024–Present)
On June 29, 2024, the New Jersey 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 moved Marino to a new franchise eager to build a competitive roster for its early years in the league. Utah, which rebranded as the Utah Mammoth, gave him a significant role on the blue line.
Since joining Utah, Marino has continued to provide veteran leadership and reliable defensive play. His presence has been an important part of the team’s plan to develop into a consistent contender in the Western Conference.
Playing Style and Strengths
Marino is recognized for his steady two-way game, sound positioning, and dependable puck-moving ability. He is comfortable in all situations, including penalty-kill duty and matchups against top opposing forwards, and he has built his career on consistency rather than flash. His partnership with veteran defensemen at each of his stops has helped him grow his overall game.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the signature moments of Marino’s career are his NHL debut against the Winnipeg Jets on October 8, 2019, his first NHL goal against the Boston Bruins on November 4, 2019, and his six-year, $26.4 million contract extension with the Penguins in January 2021. The cheekbone injury sustained from a Steven Stamkos slapshot in February 2020 and his subsequent trades to New Jersey and Utah also mark major turning points in his professional journey.
John Marino Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
John Marino grew up in Easton, Massachusetts, with his parents, Jen and Paul II, and his twin brother, Paul III. The family entered the hockey world together after a doctor’s recommendation led them to enroll both boys in lessons at nearly two years old. The bond between the brothers and the support of their parents have remained a steady part of Marino’s life as his career has progressed.
Personal Life
Marino comes from a close-knit family that has continued to play a central role in his development as a player. While he keeps much of his personal life private, his ties to his parents and his twin brother remain an important part of his story.
2025 Season Performance
John Marino enters the 2025 season as a key defenseman for the Utah Mammoth in the franchise’s continued push to establish itself in the Western Conference. Coming off a summer of training and a full season adjusting to his new club, Marino is expected to anchor the blue line and contribute in all situations. His steady play and veteran presence will be important for a team that is still building its identity.
The 2025 campaign offers Marino a chance to solidify his role as a top-pairing defenseman while helping Utah compete for a playoff position. His ability to log heavy minutes, kill penalties, and support the offense will be central to the team’s outlook. As the season unfolds, Marino’s performance will be a key storyline for a Mammoth club looking to take the next step.