Bruins Prospect John Farinacci Looking To Build On First Pro Season

BOSTON -- As Bruins rookie camp got underway at Warrior Ice Arena on Wednesday, two names were missing from the 25-player roster that immediately jumped off the page -- forwards Fabian Lysell and Georgii Merkulov.

Providence Bruins head coach Ryan Mougenel said the plan was to have the duo fresh and ready to push for a roster spot in Boston when training camp opens on Sept. 18.

Among those in attendance was forward John Farinacci, who is entering his second professional season with Providence this fall. The 5-foot-7, 195-pound New Jersey native signed as a free agent with Boston in August 2023 and tallied 12 goals and six assists across 71 games with Providence last season as the team's top rookie scorer.

Farinacci said he wants to build on his successful rookie campaign and show the Bruins what changed in his game when he competes in the prospect challenge tournament in Buffalo, N.Y., this weekend.

"I think developing my game in Providence last year and over the summer here at Warrior was a big piece for me," Farinacci said. "I think going in there (at the prospect challenge), just maybe showing them my game and what I can do, and building off last year.

"... The big thing for me is my pace of play. I think picking up how fast I play and not only just with my feet but with my mind, too. I feel like I have a pretty good mind. Usually, that's my advantage."

Having played one full season in Providence, Faranacci's hockey IQ is one of the young forward's strongest attributes, according to Mougenel.

"The first thing that stands out with John is how he thinks the game," Mougenel said. "He's got an extremely high IQ. I think this (past) season, as it wore on, he wore down a little bit, and that's to be expected. Especially guys who come 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."

The 23-year-old made the jump from the collegiate level to professional after playing three seasons for the Harvard Crimson, totaling 59 points (23 goals, 36 assists) in 78 career games. Making the switch can be daunting for players, especially considering how many more games are played in an AHL season than in the NCAA.