Last Updated on November 11, 2026 by Bernald Sanders
John Marino is an American professional ice hockey player who plays as a defenseman for the Utah Mammoth in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on May 21, 1997, in Easton, Massachusetts, he grew up in a close-knit family whose remarkable journey into ice hockey helped shape his professional career.
John Marino’s parents are Paul Marino Jr. and Jennifer Marino, and he has a fraternal twin brother named Paul Marino III. His brother’s childhood medical condition unexpectedly introduced both boys to ice skating, eventually leading John to the NHL. Although his parents and twin brother are extensively documented, Marino has maintained considerable privacy regarding his romantic relationships and whether he has children.
John Marino’s Girlfriend: Is He Dating Anyone?
John Marino has not publicly confirmed the identity of a current girlfriend or romantic partner through reliable sports publications.
Despite spending several seasons in the NHL, the American defenseman has generally kept his dating life outside the public spotlight.
His interviews with NHL.com, the Pittsburgh Penguins, New Jersey Devils, and Utah Mammoth have primarily focused on his hockey career, childhood experiences, and family relationships.
Some unofficial websites have identified sports reporter Jenna Harner as Marino’s girlfriend. However, that claim is not supported by reliable reporting.
In February 2022, Pittsburgh radio station 93.7 The Fan published an interview explaining that Harner was dating Pittsburgh Post-Gazette hockey reporter Mike DeFabo. The report discussed how John Marino had helped DeFabo connect with Harner.
That reporting does not establish a romantic relationship between Marino and Harner.
Consequently, no verified public information currently identifies Marino’s girlfriend or confirms whether he is in a relationship.
Is John Marino Married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that John Marino is married.
Official NHL player biographies and established sports publications do not identify a wife or provide verified details of an engagement or wedding.
Although Marino has spoken openly about his parents and twin brother, he has not made a widely documented public announcement concerning marriage.
Therefore, his marital status remains unverified, and it would be inaccurate to identify a wife without credible supporting evidence.
Does John Marino Have Children?
There is no publicly verified information indicating that John Marino has children.
The Utah Mammoth defenseman has not made a widely documented announcement about becoming a father, and official hockey biographies do not identify any sons or daughters.
Although Marino maintains strong relationships with his immediate family, information about whether he has started a family of his own remains private.
John Marino’s Parents
John Marino was born to Paul Marino Jr. and Jennifer Marino, who raised him and his twin brother in North Easton, Massachusetts.
His father is also identified as Paul Marino II, while his mother is sometimes called Jen Marino.
Both parents made significant sacrifices to support their sons’ hockey development, including regular travel, training expenses, and adjusting their professional responsibilities.
John Marino’s Father: Paul Marino Jr.
Paul Marino Jr. is John Marino’s father and one of the most important influences on his hockey career.
According to an October 2019 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette family profile, Paul previously operated a liquor store for approximately two decades before selling the business to concentrate on raising his sons and managing real estate investments.
Although he did not grow up playing competitive ice hockey, Paul became deeply involved in the sport after his twin sons began skating.
His introduction to hockey came under unusual circumstances.
When John and his twin brother were born in May 1997, Paul’s older son, Paul III, had severely bowed legs.
Doctors at Boston Children’s Hospital initially considered several possible treatments.
Eventually, one physician suggested that ice skating could help improve the child’s leg alignment through the natural movements involved in skating.
Paul decided to follow the recommendation.
However, rather than take only one child to the rink, he introduced both twins to skating when they were approximately 18 months old.
The decision unexpectedly began John’s journey toward professional ice hockey.
How Paul Marino Jr. Supported His Sons
Paul quickly became dedicated to helping both boys develop their skating abilities.
He regularly accompanied them to practices, games, and hockey tournaments across the northeastern United States.
As John’s talent became increasingly evident, Paul supported opportunities for him to compete against more advanced players.
He also developed friendships with hockey coaches and former NHL players, including Kevin Stevens, a former Pittsburgh Penguins forward.
Stevens had coached John during his youth hockey career and later helped the Penguins recognize his potential.
In 2019, Paul closely followed John’s transition from Harvard University to professional hockey.
He attended practices and games whenever possible, celebrating his son’s achievements alongside the rest of the family.
His commitment to both children became an important foundation for their accomplishments in hockey.
John Marino’s Mother: Jennifer Marino
Jennifer Marino, commonly called Jen Marino, is John Marino’s mother.
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Jennifer worked as a chief marketing officer at a bank during the period when John was beginning his NHL career.
She helped raise John and Paul III in North Easton, Massachusetts, while balancing her professional responsibilities with the demands of youth hockey.
Jennifer frequently traveled with her sons for tournaments and practices.
In a July 2022 interview published by the New Jersey Devils, she recalled how seriously both boys took hockey from childhood.
When the twins were approximately five years old, the family organized a vacation to Disney World.
However, John was so enthusiastic about skating that he repeatedly expressed his desire to return home and get back on the ice.
Jennifer remembered the experience as an early indication of how deeply hockey had become part of her son’s life.
Jennifer Marino’s Influence on John’s Education
Jennifer also emphasized the importance of education.
When John attended Harvard University, she hoped he would complete his undergraduate degree before pursuing professional hockey.
In 2019, the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired John’s NHL rights from the Edmonton Oilers and offered him an opportunity to begin his professional career.
John decided to leave Harvard after his junior season.
Jennifer initially expressed concern about the decision because she understood the value of obtaining a university degree.
Nevertheless, she supported her son’s choice after recognizing his determination to pursue the NHL opportunity.
In October 2019, she watched him make his NHL debut with Pittsburgh.
The experience was particularly emotional because John was sharing the ice with established NHL players whom he had admired during childhood.
John Marino’s Siblings
John Marino has one publicly documented sibling, his fraternal twin brother Paul Marino III.
The brothers were born on the same day, May 21, 1997, with Paul arriving approximately two minutes before John.
They grew up together in North Easton, Massachusetts, and developed an unusually close relationship through hockey.
Paul Marino III – John Marino’s Twin Brother
Paul Marino III is John Marino’s older fraternal twin brother and a hockey professional with experience in statistical analysis.
Although Paul did not become an NHL player, he developed his own career within the sport.
His involvement in hockey began because of a medical condition present at birth.
Paul was born with severely bowed legs, a condition that raised concerns about his ability to walk normally.
Doctors recommended ice skating as a possible way to improve the alignment of his legs.
His father subsequently introduced both twins to skating, establishing the foundation for their shared passion for hockey.
Over time, Paul’s condition improved considerably, allowing him to continue participating in sports.
Although he faced physical limitations, he developed a strong understanding of hockey strategy and analysis.
Paul Marino III’s Education and Hockey Career
Paul Marino III attended Harvard University, where his twin brother John also played college hockey.
Paul participated in Harvard’s club hockey program and became involved with the university’s NCAA men’s hockey team through video analysis.
According to a November 2018 article published by The Harvard Crimson, Paul assisted the coaching staff by preparing video clips and analyzing opponents.
His work allowed him to develop relationships with coaches and players while gaining experience in hockey operations.
Paul also completed an internship with the Los Angeles Kings organization during his university years.
By July 2022, he was working as a statistical analyst for the Kings, according to an official NHL feature published by the New Jersey Devils.
His career demonstrated that he could contribute to professional hockey through analytical abilities rather than solely through playing.
John and Paul Marino’s Close Relationship
John and Paul Marino share a particularly strong relationship.
Growing up, the twins played hockey together, attended practices, and spent considerable time discussing the sport.
According to The Harvard Crimson, John frequently helped his brother during childhood games.
Because Paul sometimes struggled to keep up with faster players, John would occasionally hold onto the puck until Paul reached a scoring position.
He would then pass the puck to his brother, giving him opportunities to score.
As they grew older, their hockey paths became different.
John developed into an elite defenseman, while Paul became increasingly interested in the analytical and strategic aspects of the game.
Both eventually attended Harvard, allowing them to remain close during an important period of their lives.
In 2018, John explained that he appreciated having Paul around the Harvard hockey program and valued his brother’s insights.
The twins also chose matching tattoos incorporating their birthday and a biblical passage about brotherhood and supporting one another during difficult times.
The tattoos symbolize the close relationship they have maintained throughout their lives.
How John Marino’s Family Influenced His Hockey Career
John Marino’s journey toward the NHL began with a medical recommendation intended to help his twin brother.
Without that recommendation, the family might not have introduced the boys to skating at such a young age.
John began skating when he was approximately 18 months old and soon developed a strong passion for hockey.
He played youth hockey with the South Shore Kings, competing alongside talented players such as Noah Hanifin and Colin White.
His development attracted attention from NHL scouts.
In June 2015, the Edmonton Oilers selected Marino in the sixth round, 154th overall, of the NHL Entry Draft.
He subsequently joined the Tri-City Storm in the United States Hockey League.
During the 2015–16 season, Marino helped the Storm win the Clark Cup championship.
He later enrolled at Harvard University, where he spent three seasons playing NCAA Division I hockey.
His family continued supporting him throughout these achievements.
John Marino’s Family at His First NHL Goal
One of the most memorable moments in John Marino’s professional career occurred on November 4, 2019.
That evening, he scored his first NHL goal while representing the Pittsburgh Penguins against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden.
The achievement was particularly meaningful because Marino had grown up near Boston and supported the Bruins during his childhood.
More than 40 relatives and friends attended the game.
His parents, Paul and Jennifer Marino, and his twin brother Paul III were among those watching.
Marino scored after leaving the penalty box, collecting a loose puck, and beating Boston goaltender Jaroslav Halak on a breakaway.
The goal came with only seconds remaining in the second period.
According to an official Pittsburgh Penguins article published the following day, the family celebrated enthusiastically after witnessing the milestone.
Jennifer described the experience as an emotional occasion because it represented the culmination of years of training and sacrifices.
Paul III also expressed pride in watching his brother achieve something they had dreamed about during childhood.
John Marino’s NHL Career and Move to Utah
John Marino began his NHL career with the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2019–20 season.
He quickly established himself as a dependable defenseman known for his skating, defensive awareness, and ability to move the puck effectively.
In January 2021, Pittsburgh signed him to a six-year contract extension worth $26.4 million.
In July 2022, Marino was traded to the New Jersey Devils, where he continued playing an important defensive role.
He subsequently joined the Utah franchise through a trade on June 29, 2024.
Although injuries limited his first season in Utah, he became a key contributor during the 2025–26 season.
Marino recorded four goals and 32 assists for a career-high 36 points in 80 regular-season games.
He also helped Utah reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since the franchise’s relocation.
On July 21, 2026, the Utah Mammoth announced that Marino had signed an eight-year contract extension worth $54 million.
The agreement, which begins with the 2027–28 season, reflects Utah’s confidence in his long-term role within the organization.
His continued success represents another chapter in a career that began with his family’s dedication to helping two young brothers learn to skate.
Frequently Asked Questions About John Marino’s Family
Who is John Marino’s girlfriend?
John Marino has not publicly confirmed the identity of a current girlfriend through reliable sources. Claims linking him romantically to sports reporter Jenna Harner are unsupported by established reporting.
Is John Marino married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that John Marino is married or has a wife.
Does John Marino have children?
No children have been publicly confirmed for John Marino.
Who are John Marino’s parents?
His parents are Paul Marino Jr. and Jennifer Marino, who raised him and his twin brother in North Easton, Massachusetts.
Who is John Marino’s father?
His father is Paul Marino Jr., also known as Paul Marino II. He previously operated a retail business and later became involved in real estate investments.
Who is John Marino’s mother?
His mother is Jennifer Marino, also called Jen Marino. She worked in banking and marketing and supported her son’s education and hockey development.
Does John Marino have a twin brother?
Yes. John Marino has a fraternal twin brother named Paul Marino III, who was born approximately two minutes before him on May 21, 1997.
Who is John Marino’s brother?
His brother is Paul Marino III, who attended Harvard University and worked as a statistical analyst for the Los Angeles Kings.
How many siblings does John Marino have?
John Marino has one publicly documented sibling, his twin brother Paul Marino III.
Does John Marino have a sister?
No sister has been identified in the reliable family profiles reviewed. The available reporting identifies John and Paul III as the family’s two sons.
Why did John Marino and his brother start playing hockey?
Paul Marino III was born with bowed legs. A physician recommended ice skating as a way to help improve his leg alignment. Their father decided to introduce both twins to skating when they were approximately 18 months old.
Did John Marino’s parents attend his first NHL goal?
Yes. Paul and Jennifer Marino, along with John’s twin brother and other relatives, attended the November 4, 2019, game against the Boston Bruins when he scored his first NHL goal.
Where is John Marino’s family from?
The Marino family is from North Easton, Massachusetts, approximately 25 miles south of Boston.
Did John Marino and his brother attend Harvard?
Yes. Both brothers attended Harvard University. John played NCAA Division I hockey, while Paul participated in club hockey and contributed to the university’s hockey program through video analysis.
Living and breathing ice hockey, Bernald Sanders delivers comprehensive coverage of the NHL season from puck drop to the Stanley Cup Finals. He specializes in tactical breakdowns, trade analysis, power-play strategies, and tracking rising draft prospects. Bernald turns fast-paced on-ice action into clear, sharp insights for hockey fans around the globe.
