Trent's Utah HC Midseason Report Cards

Grading the First Half: Utah’s Stars, Surprises & Second-Half Potential

As the Utah Hockey Club has surpassed the halfway point of their inaugural NHL season, it’s time to take a closer look at how some of the key players are performing. From breakout stars to under-the-radar contributors, these mid-season grades highlight who’s thriving, who’s struggling, and what each player needs to do in the second half to take their game to the next level.

Over the summer, the Clean Hits Crew held a Utah HC Player Draft, where we each selected seven players to profile with pre-season grades and expectations. I was able to select a diverse stable of “Clubbers” to cover this season. Here’s how those seven of Utah’s most important players have fared so far this season.

---

John Marino

Games Played: 4 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 1 | Points: 1

(Credit:Jamie Sabau/NHLI)

Pre-Season Recap:
John Marino was expected to be the steady, dependable anchor of Utah’s blueline, bringing his calm, intelligent game to a defensive unit in desperate need of stability. His reputation as a shutdown defenseman and a top penalty killer made him a key offseason acquisition, with fans and analysts alike hoping he’d elevate the team’s defensive game. Coming off a C+ grade in the 2023-24 season due to some inconsistent play, Marino had high expectations to meet, positioning him as a cornerstone piece for Utah.