Bruins prospect John Farinacci has Boston roots, is looking to push for NHL this fall

"That’s the dream for any kid and especially anybody coming into this camp."

John Farinacci may hail from New Jersey, but the poised centerman’s path to pro hockey is rooted in Boston.

The 23-year-old pivot played high school hockey at Dexter Southfield School in Brookline for his uncle, Dan Donato. His collegiate career saw him don a Harvard sweater for three seasons, playing for another uncle, Crimson head coach and former Bruins forward Ted Donato.

So when it came time for Farinacci to choose which NHL organization to sign for as a collegiate free agent last summer, it was a no-brainer.

And with one year of pro hockey in Providence now under his belt, Farinacci is looking to take another major step forward with the Bruins entering a new training camp.

“I like to show how I can play,” Farinacci said Wednesday. “I think developing my game in Providence last year and over the summer here at Warrior was a big piece for me.”

Farinacci, originally a third-round pick by the Coyotes in the 2019 NHL Draft, was one of the most coveted college free agents on the market last summer when Boston inked him to a two-year, entry-level contract.

The Bruins have solidified their center position with the free-agent signing of Elias Lindholm and the emergence of Matt Poitras last season. But, Don Sweeney and his staff have left no stone unturned when it comes to adding value and depth at such a critical position.

A right-shot pivot whose floor as a steady bottom-six contributor is buoyed by a refined, two-way skillset, Farinacci impressed in his first season with Providence in 2023-24. He scored 12 goals and 38 total points over 71 games in the AHL.

Both Farinacci and Providence head coach Ryan Mougenel pointed to the grind of a pro schedule as the top challenge for the center last year, rather than the elevated physicality or competition.

“The first thing he sends out with John is how he thinks the game,” Mougenel said. “He’s got an extremely high IQ. I think [last] season, as it wore on — he wore down a little bit. That’s to be expected, especially guys coming up from college.

“That’s a little bit of the common denominator, but he had an excellent first year. He was a go-to guy for us down the stretch. … It looks like John had a real good summer, and I’m excited about his growth.”

Farinacci has focused most of his work this summer on bracing his body for the grind that awaits starting in October, dropping weight and ramping up his pace to stay engaged during the dog days of winter.

“In college, I think I played [20] games my senior year — and you go to play 72 [games] plus playoffs in pro,” he said.

For Mougenel, the lulls in Farinacci’s production last season are a regular roadblock for any younger player trying to find their footing in the AHL. The early returns showcased so far in camp offering optimism for a stronger sophomore year in Providence.

“He had to get a little bit quicker. … And I think our development staff did a great job with him last year, getting him stronger, bigger, faster,” Moungenel said of Farinacci. “And obviously I kept in touch with him over the summer. He got right into it right after the season. So kudos to him.”

Farinacci and the 24 other players featured on Boston’s rookie camp roster will travel to Buffalo on Thursday for the annual Prospects Challenge. The round-robin tournament and showcase serves as a stepping stone toward a potential spot on Boston’s NHL camp roster.

Farinacci might only have 71 total games of pro reps, but his refined game and age make him a prospect worth watching in 2024-25, be it during camp or as he continues to round out his game in Providence.

“That’s the hope, obviously,” Farinacci said of pushing for a spot in the NHL. “That’s the dream for any kid and especially anybody coming into this camp. You want to be able to put your best foot forward starting this weekend.”