SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, July 22, 2026 (UPI) — The NHL’s Utah Mammoth signed defenseman John Marino to an eight-year, $54 million contract extension, they announced Tuesday.
Marino, 29, totaled a career-high 36 points, from four goals and 32 assists, over 80 appearances last season. The 6-foot-1 defenseman spent his last two seasons with the Mammoth.
“We value John’s long-term commitment to Utah and what he brings to our group every day,” Mammoth president Chris Armstrong said.
“His professionalism and competitiveness as well as the stability and puck-moving ability that he provides on our blue line, makes him an invaluable cornerstone for our franchise.”
Marino, a sixth-round pick by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2015 NHL Draft, also spent time with the Pittsburgh Penguins and New Jersey Devils. He totaled 157 points through his first 443 appearances in the NHL.
“We view John as a foundational piece of our future,” Mammoth general manager Bill Armstrong said. “His ability to control the game from the back end, his play in transition and our trust in him to make the right decisions in critical situations allows him to be a difference maker on most nights.
“Beyond his skill, John brings a level of calmness under pressure that our group feeds off of and that’s exactly what you need from your veteran players.”
