The 22-year-old centerman said he trusts the Bruins organization's decision on the next step in his pro development.
BRIGHTON, Mass. – After locking down one of the top collegiate free agents on the market this summer in John Farinacci, the Boston Bruins have gotten their first look at the 22-year-old centerman in an NHL setting this week at training camp.
Farinacci, who signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Bruins in August, is adapting to the pro standards following three seasons at Harvard University, where he captained the squad his senior year.
“It’s been pretty good. Obviously the hockey is a little different, getting acclimated to new teammates and stuff, but pretty familiar with the area which is a nice thing,” Farinacci said to reporters on Friday.
“The pace is a lot faster, the compete level is super high here, every drill is so high intensity so it’s a lot of fun.”
The Red Bank, N.J. native was originally selected by the Arizona Coyotes in the third round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, but the team lost its rights to Farinacci after he opted to not sign his entry-level contract in the desert.
Farinacci is now poised to be one of the B’s promising young options down the middle with a strong two-way game. While he was out with injury for the first half of the 2022-23 season with the Crimson, Farinacci tallied five goals and 15 assists through 19 games.
The Harvard and Bruins ties run deep for Farinacci whose uncle, Ted Donato, is at the helm for the Crimson and played for Boston from 1991-99 and finished his career with the B’s in 2003-04.
“I think it was awesome, Teddy, he’s such a smart coach, I learned so much from him. Positioning, how to play the game,” Farinacci said.
Bruins coach Jim Montgomery noted the developmental benefits of skating at the collegiate level as more and more of the league stars are coming out of NCAA play.
“The number of college hockey players that play effectively in the league gives college players a lot of confidence now coming that they can play and have success,” Montgomery said.
“I think college programs have a lot of resources that allow college players to spend a lot of time developing their bodies to get ready for when they become NHL or getting invited to NHL camps.”
As Farinacci enters the next stage of his career, a stint in the AHL with Providence this season is probable in the continued quest to crack the NHL lineup. It seems Farinacci has bought into the process and isn’t allowing himself to think too far ahead, though.
“Obviously it’s everybody’s dream to play in the NHL so that’s the goal for sure,” Farinacci said. “But I think like I said earlier, just put my best foot forward and whatever the organization thinks is best for my development and my career, I think I’ll take it in stride.”
The Bruins will be dipping into their prospect pool more than ever before the next few seasons as the team figures out who it is without franchise players like Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci. There’s a tangible energy that the wide-eyed rookies bring, and Montgomery wholly welcomes it.
“You see how awesome it is to be in the NHL. They’re excited, everything’s new. But also when everything’s new you’re learning on the go, there’s a lot coming at you,” Montgomery said.
“It’s like a baby coming into the world; everyday you’re learning something new. And that’s why you love having rookies because of the energy they bring.”
With the Bruins’ first preseason game on Sunday against the New York Rangers approaching, Montgomery said the lineup wouldn’t have more than eight veterans, giving players like Farinacci the opportunity to prove themselves and prolong their stay.
Looking at the big picture, Farinacci will be an important player for this team whenever he gets his big break. For now, he’s focussed on “trying to play the right way” while he gets a glimpse of what could be.
“I had all summer to think about these situations and mentally prepare,” Farinacci said. “It was a bit of a long summer but just being patient with it all. I couldn’t be happier to be here with the Bruins and such a great organization.”