John Marino expects hockey fans to have a lot of questions about Utah’s new NHL team.
“You don’t really know what to expect. Location wise,” the Massachusetts-born defenseman said, “I’m sure some people don’t know where it is.”
But the five-year veteran looks forward to putting Utah Hockey Club on the NHL map.
Marino, who has made the playoffs in four of his five seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins and New Jersey Devils, will be tasked with bringing experience and establishing a winning culture in Salt Lake City after being traded to Utah late last month.
“I think it starts with the older guys instilling that in the younger guys and teaching them the ropes,” Marino said this week.
The 27-year-old racked up 25 points (four goals, 21 assists) last season in New Jersey. Along with Mikhail Sergachev, who Utah acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay, Marino hopes to be part of an improved defensive unit in Utah.
“I think they’re sending a message for sure doing what they did in the offseason that they want to be a competitive hockey team,” Marino said. “They have such a dangerous forward group up front, playing fast, transitional hockey. I think it’s going to be exciting. I think it’s only going to be improvement from here and who knows where it’s going to go.”
Marino followed the team’s move from Arizona to Utah closely earlier this year.
“Watching the video of all the other guys coming out on stage [during the team’s introduction event], the fan presence and the atmosphere, it seemed pretty cool,” he said. “It’s going to be special to be a part of it.”
The defenseman said he’s heard good things about the franchise — and Salt Lake City — already.
“I’ve heard nothing but great things about it, nothing about great things about the owner and what it’s going to be, the fans, the atmosphere. Talking to some of the guys who have already been out there from Arizona, nothing but good things to say about it.”
And as for his new home? Marino says he’s ready for his next chapter.
“I’ve heard it’s just beautiful there. Being up in the mountains, the scenery. There’s a ton to do, outdoor actives and everything like that,” he said. “But getting that firsthand experience will be a lot different than looking at it through my screen.”