John Farinacci

August 2024 – Farinacci finished his college career in 2022-2023 as the captain of Harvard University, where he produced 20 points in 19 games. After a shortened season due to an injury, he played an entire season for Providence last season as a free-agent pickup. He scored 38 points in 71 games, which shows he was not excelling but did not seem out of place. He is known to be a two-way forward and is strong on the faceoff. Although the center position seems to be jammed with the acquisition of Elias Lindholm, Farinacci will try to make an impression during training camp and will most likely be competing against Georgii Merkulov and John Beecher to get a spot on the fourth line and is likely to make the roster during the upcoming season, pending injuries. Anthony Vincens

September 2023- A free agent on August 15th when his Coyote rights expired, Farinacci has signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Boston Bruins. Farinacci’s uncle and coach at Harvard, Ted Donato played for the Bruins for eight-plus seasons. Due to a herniated disc, he suffered in his lower back training last offseason, Farinacci only suited up for 20 games during 2022-23. Known as an intelligent player who’s always in the right spot defensively, he also brings some good offensive skills to a lineup. Still, if he makes the NHL, Farinacci is projected to be a depth forward. Keith Duggan

June 2023- Farinacci announced he will not sign with Arizona and will become a free agent on August 15th. This comes as a surprise, with Farinacci never expressing any issues and seemed happy to be a Coyote prospect. Also with the franchise rebuilding, it looked to be good opportunity to earn an NHL roster spot. While he won’t be a big name on the free agent market, Farinacci could be a sneaky signing as he does offer some offensive appeal. Keith Duggan

April 2023- With Harvard’s hockey season over, it was expected that Farinacci would sign with Arizona. Up to this point that has yet to happen, but it seems inevitable he signs at some point. Even though due to COVID cancelled 2020-21 year, Farinacci has an extra year of NCAA eligibility, but cannot return to Harvard. He had five goals and 20 points in 19 games this campaign as Harvard’s team captain. Keith Duggan

November 2022- Harvard’s captain is currently injured and has yet to suit up for a game. The Crimson expect his return hopefully around Christmas. Keith Duggan

June 2022- Taking almost all of the 2020-21 campaign off from hockey other than a few USHL games and the WJC (where he was excellent) seemed to have hurt Farinacci’s development, as the young forward struggled offensively. Despite playing a top six, all situations role with Harvard, he finished eighth in team scoring with 10 goals and 19 points in 29 games. Still, he was a trusted player by the coaching staff and was a team leader, so much so he was voted team captain for 2022-23. Expect a better offensive year out of Farinacci, before he possibly turns pro. Keith Duggan

January 2021- Centering Team USA’s third line, Farinacci has an outstanding tournament at the 2021 World Junior Championship. Despite it being his first time at the tournament it did not faze Farinacci at all, with him showing confidence with the puck, beating defenders one-on-one or playing a dirty areas style and relying on his skill around the net to manufacture offense, get rebounds and pull the game towards the slot. He finished with five goals and seven points, helping USA earn a gold medal. His seven points tied for twelfth in tournament scoring, with his five goals tying at fourth. Farinacci was used to kill penalties and was excellent at faceoff’s. Instead of returning to Muskegon in the USHL to finish the campaign, Farinacci plans to join some of his Harvard teammates in Tampa Bay to train with Brett Strot, who has worked with USA Hockey. He plans to train off ice, on ice and scrimmage with his teammates to prepare for next fall, when he’ll return to Harvard. Farinacci has definitely raised his profile as a top prospect for the Coyotes. Keith Duggan

November 2020- As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, the Ivy League decided to cancel their 2020-21 hockey season. Meaning Farinacci will not be playing for hockey for Harvard University this year. Instead of losing a year of development, he will play for the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL this season and will be able to return to Harvard next campaign. So far Farinacci has been on fire with three goals and six points in four games, good for 10th in overall scoring in the USHL. He’s also expected to play for Team USA in the 2021 World Junior Tournament. Keith Duggan

March 2020- Farinacci has been named to the ECAC Hockey All-Rookie Team after putting up 10 goals and 22 points in 31 games for Harvard University. In conference play, Farinacci was third among freshmen with 17 points in 22 games behind teammates Nick Abruzzese and Henry Thrun. It’s expected he’ll return to Harvard for 2020-21. Keith Duggan

January 2020- After playing at Shattuck-St. Mary’s for his sophomore year, Farinacci tried out for the USNTDP, where he unfortunately did not make the team. Instead of playing in the USHL, he headed to where his cousin and friend Ryan Donato played and took his talents to Dexter Academy. There he racked up some big point totals (86 points in 43 games) and saw himself drafted by the Coyotes in the third round, 76th overall of the 2019 draft. Scouts were all over the place on Farinacci’s final ranking for the draft as he played against lesser competition and missed a good chunk of last season with a knee injury. Most agreed though that he’s a gifted offensive player who always seems to create plays. One of his biggest assets is his shot, an NHL quality release. Showing that offense against stronger competition and his skating were the biggest knocks on Farinacci. Coming into 2019-20 he decided to  follow in Ryan’s footsteps again and play for uncle and former NHLer Ted Donato at Harvard University. So far he’s been very good in his freshman season, racking up four goals and 10 points in 12 games. Keith Duggan