Forgotten Bruins prospect becomes the latest to bolt for green pastures in free agency

When John Farinacci's college career at Harvard came to an end, he was hoping to catch on with an NHL organization as an undrafted free agent. He didn't have to look too far to find an organization that was going to sign.

Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney inked Farinacci to a deal, adding some center depth in the organization. After three years in the Black and Gold's organization, he is leaving for a fresh start after signing a free-agent contract with the Milwaukee Admirals, the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Nashville Predators.

Former Bruins prospect heads to the Predators organization

The 6-foot-0, 184-pound New Jersey native made his NHL debut at the end of the dismal 2024-25 Boston season. The Bruins tailed off following a trade-deadline fire sale and finished tied for last place in the Eastern Conference with the Philadelphia Flyers. In the regular season finale, the Bruins called up Farinacci from the P-Bruins for his first NHL game.

He took full advantage of the opportunity and scored a goal in the Bruins' 4-3 overtime loss to the New Jersey Devils. He played 10:58 that night, but that would end up being his only shot at playing in Boston during his three-year tenure in the organization.

In three seasons for Providence, Farinacci finished with 31 goals and 64 assists, with his best season being in 2024-25 with 12 goals and 26 assists. This past season, he finished with 10 goals and 28 assists. However, he was never able to secure a bigger role in Boston, and he became the latest P-Bruins forward to bolt in free agency.

Once-promising prospect and former first-round pick Fabian Lysell was traded to the Colorado Avalanche in June, while Georgii Merkulov signed with the Avs in free agency in July. If either makes an impact in the NHL in Colorado, well, that certainly wouldn't be a good look for Sweeney and the Bruins. Farinacci now gets a fresh start in Milwaukee with other Nashville prospects.

Playing for former Boston forward Ted Donato at Harvard, Farinacci finished his career with the Crimson with 25 goals and 46 assists in the ECAC. His game developed, and Donato helped him secure an undrafted free-agent deal right around the corner with the Bruins.

Farinacci was a steady player for Providence, but he is the latest to leave amid massive turnover in the roster and coaching staff following a tremendous regular season that ended with a first-round playoff loss to the Springfield Thunderbirds.

Does that sound familiar? Anyway, Bruins fans might need a roster early in the season on a nightly basis when it comes to the Providence Bruins in 2026-27.

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