Originally from Kennesaw, Georgia, John Bonno grew up playing for the TPH Thunder AAA Hockey program. He was then recruited to play for the Portland Jr. Pirates in the first year of the USPHL/EHL split. He played two years in Portland, Maine before committing to play at the University of Massachusetts-Boston. John played all four years at UMB, and graduated with a degree in Exercise and Health Sciences. He obtained his CFSC, PN-1, FMS, CPR/AED Certifications once he graduated from school and worked alongside the Boston/Providence Bruins Head & Assistant Strength and Conditioning coach for three years. John moved to the Phoenix area during the summer of 2021 to join Ice Den Performance and support TPH Phoenix.