Zach Werenski

Lore & Background

Werenski played in the 2009 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Detroit Belle Tire minor ice hockey team. He later trained with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program during the 2013–14 season, finishing second among team defensemen in scoring with seven goals and 20 assists in 47 games despite missing time due to injury. At the University of Michigan, he recorded nine goals and 16 assists as a freshman, earning Big Ten All-Freshman Team and All-Big Ten First Team honors. The following season, he was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, an AHCA First Team All-American, and became the 18th defenseman in Michigan history to record 10 goals in a single season.

After being drafted by Columbus, Werenski signed an entry-level contract and joined the Lake Erie Monsters, making his professional debut on April 1, 2016. He scored his first professional goal as an overtime game-winner on April 9 and helped lead the Monsters to the 2016 Calder Cup championship with five goals and nine assists in the playoffs. He made his NHL debut on October 13, 2016, scoring his first NHL point with an assist, and netted his first NHL goal two days later against Martin Jones of the San Jose Sharks. Werenski was named NHL Rookie of the Month for November 2016 and set the franchise rookie points record on March 10, 2017, surpassing Rick Nash. He finished third in Calder Memorial Trophy voting for the league's best rookie in 2017.

Werenski was called to replace Seth Jones at the 2018 NHL All-Star Game and tied Jones for most goals by a Blue Jackets defenseman in a season with 16. He later revealed he had played with an undisclosed shoulder injury that never healed from October, requiring surgery after the 2018 playoffs. He signed a three-year, $15 million contract extension on September 9, 2019, and scored a hat-trick against the Florida Panthers on December 31, 2019. He led the league in goals by defensemen with 20 during the shortened 2019–20 season. After missing the remainder of the 2020–21 season due to a sports hernia, he signed a six-year, $57.5 million contract extension on July 29, 2021, and was described as becoming 'the face of the franchise.'

Reader's Guide

Werenski's significance to the Columbus Blue Jackets is defined by his status as the franchise's all-time leader among defensemen in goals, assists, and points. His 2024–25 season was a breakout year, setting single-season records for a Blue Jackets defenseman with 23 goals, 59 assists, and 82 points, finishing second in league scoring among defensemen behind Cale Makar. He was named a finalist for the James Norris Memorial Trophy for the first time that season. The following year, despite again finishing second in defenseman scoring with 22 goals and 59 assists in 75 games (81 points, behind Evan Bouchard), Werenski was awarded the Norris Trophy, becoming the first Blue Jackets player to win the award. His legacy extends internationally: he captained the United States at the 2016 World Junior Championships, winning a bronze medal and being named tournament Best Defenseman and to the All-Star team. At the 2025 World Championship, he helped the United States win its first gold medal since 1933 and was named Best Defenseman. At the 2026 Winter Olympics, he assisted on Jack Hughes' overtime winner against Canada, securing the United States' first Olympic gold since 1980. He was also co-recipient in June 2026 of the Excellence in Sports Award from the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame.

Did You Know?

• Werenski scored his first professional goal as an overtime game-winner for the Lake Erie Monsters on April 9, 2016.
• Werenski led the NHL in goals by defensemen with 20 in the 2019–20 season.
• He assisted on Jack Hughes' overtime winner against Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics, giving the U.S. its first gold medal since 1980.