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Zach Werenski

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Zach Werenski
Werenski with the Lake Erie Monsters in 2016
Born (1997-07-19) July 19, 1997 (age 27)
Grosse Pointe, Michigan, U.S.
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 209 lb (95 kg; 14 st 13 lb)
Position Defense
Shoots Left
NHL team Columbus Blue Jackets
National team  United States
NHL draft 8th overall, 2015
Columbus Blue Jackets
Playing career 2016–present

Zachary Werenski (born July 19, 1997) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman and alternate captain for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League (NHL). Werenski was drafted eighth overall by the Blue Jackets in the 2015 NHL entry draft.


Playing career

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Junior

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Werenski played in the 2009 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Detroit Belle Tire minor ice hockey team.[1] He later trained with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program during the 2013–14 season. He finished second among team defensemen in scoring with seven goals and 20 assists in 47 games, despite missing time in November due to injury.[2]

College

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Werenski playing for the University of Michigan Wolverines in February 2015.

During his freshman season, at the University of Michigan, Werenski recorded nine goals and 16 assists. Following an outstanding rookie season, Werenski was named to both the 2014–15 Big Ten All-Freshman Team and the All-Big Ten First Team.[3] Werenski's CHL rights were owned by the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League. He was drafted by them in the 2013 OHL Priority Selection.

Following an outstanding season with the Wolverines, Werenski was named the Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Year[4] and was named to the All-Big Ten First Team. Werenski was the No. 1 scoring defenseman in the Big Ten and was second in the nation among blueliners in points with a career-best 11 goals and 25 assists in 36 games. His six power-play goals put him No. 2 in the nation among defensemen. He had 51 blocked shots on the season and became the 18th defenseman in Michigan history to record 10 goals in a single season and the first since Jacob Trouba scored 12 goals in 2012–13 season.[5] He was also named an AHCA First Team All-American.[6]

During the 2016 Big Ten Men's Ice Hockey Tournament, Werenski and Kyle Connor tied the record for most assists in the Big Ten tournament championship game with three assists. Werenski and Connor also tied the record for points in a championship game with four points. He was also named to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team.[7][8]

Professional

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Columbus Blue Jackets

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On June 26, 2015, Werenski was drafted 8th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2015 NHL entry draft.[9]

On March 29, 2016, Werenski signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets, beginning with the 2016–17 season.[10] He was signed to an American Hockey League amateur tryout contract with the Lake Erie Monsters, the AHL affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets.[11]

He made his professional debut for the Monsters on April 1, 2016. On April 9, he scored his first professional goal, the overtime game-winning goal against Nathan Lieuwen of the Rochester Americans.[12] During the 2016 Calder Cup playoffs, Werenski recorded five goals and nine assists, to help lead the Monsters to their first Calder Cup championship.[13]

On October 13, 2016, Werenski made his debut for the Blue Jackets in the season opening-game and scored his first NHL point with an assist.[14] On October 15, 2016, in his second NHL game, Werenski scored his first goal against Martin Jones of the San Jose Sharks.[15] Werenski was named the NHL's Rookie of the Month for November 2016. Through 14 games that November, Werenski scored three goals and seven assists.[16]

On March 10, 2017, Werenski set the record for the most points scored by any Blue Jackets rookie in franchise history beating the previous record holder, Rick Nash, by 8 points.[17]

Werenski was injured in Game 3 of the First Round of the 2017 playoffs against the Pittsburgh Penguins when a puck on a shot from Phil Kessel rode up the shaft of his stick and hit him in the face. He received stitches and a black eye but returned to the game in the third period only to leave again when his eye closed over.[18] He was not able to play for the remainder of the playoffs.[19]

Werenski was voted third in the Calder Memorial Trophy voting, an award given annually to the best rookie in the league. The award eventually went to Toronto Maple Leafs Auston Matthews.[20]

On January 26, 2018, Werenski was called to replace fellow defensemen Seth Jones at the 2018 NHL All-Star Game.[21] At the conclusion of the season, Werenski tied with Jones for most goals by a Blue Jackets defensemen in a season, with 16.[22] After the Blue Jackets were eliminated from the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs, Werenski revealed he had been playing with an undisclosed shoulder injury that had never healed in October.[23] During the post season, Werenski had surgery on his shoulder and was expected to miss 5–6 months.[24]

On September 9, 2019, the Blue Jackets signed Werenski to a three-year, $15 million contract extension.[25]

On December 31, 2019, Werenski scored a hat-trick in a 4–1 Blue Jackets' win over the Florida Panthers and former goaltender teammate, Sergei Bobrovsky. Werenski finished the shortened 2019–20 season leading the league in goals by defensemen with 20.[26]

Werenski (right) checking Lars Eller in February 2022.

On April 9, 2021, Werenski was ruled out for the remainder of the 2020–21 season due to a sports hernia.[27][28][29]

Werenski signed a six-year, $57.5 million contract extension with the Blue Jackets on July 29, 2021. After re-signing with the team, Werenski was described as becoming "the face of the franchise".[30]

International play

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Medal record
Representing  United States
Ice hockey
World U-17 Hockey Challenge
Gold medal – first place 2014 Canada
IIHF World Junior Championship
Bronze medal – third place 2016 Finland

Werenski represented the United States at the 2014 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, where he recorded one assist in six games, and won a gold medal. Werenski represented the United States at the 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championship, where he recorded one goal and one assist in five games, and finished in 5th place.[31]

Werenski was named captain of the Team USA at the 2016 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.[32] Werenski recorded two goals and seven assists in seven games, and won a bronze medal. He was awarded the IIHF Directorate Top Defenseman award, and was named to the tournament All-Star team.[33]

Personal Life

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Werenski is of Polish Descent[34][35]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP ! G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2013–14 U.S. NTDP Juniors USHL 35 6 13 19 17 — — — — —
2013–14 U.S. NTDP U17 USDP 47 7 24 31 42 — — — — —
2013–14 U.S. NTDP U18 USDP 4 1 0 1 0 — — — — —
2014–15 University of Michigan B1G 35 9 16 25 8 — — — — —
2015–16 University of Michigan B1G 36 11 25 36 20 — — — — —
2015–16 Lake Erie Monsters AHL 7 1 0 1 0 17 5 9 14 2
2016–17 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 78 11 36 47 14 3 1 0 1 0
2017–18 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 77 16 21 37 16 6 1 2 3 2
2018–19 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 82 11 33 44 18 10 1 5 6 9
2019–20 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 63 20 21 41 10 10 1 2 3 4
2020–21 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 35 7 13 20 13 — — — — —
2021–22 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 68 11 37 48 22 — — — — —
2022–23 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 13 3 5 8 0 — — — — —
2023–24 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 70 11 46 57 22 — — — — —
NHL totals 486 90 212 302 115 29 4 9 13 15

International

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Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2014 United States U17 1st place, gold medalist(s) 6 0 1 1 0
2015 United States WJC 5th 5 1 1 2 2
2016 United States WJC 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 7 2 7 9 4
2019 United States WC 7th 2 0 0 0 0
2024 United States WC 5th 8 2 5 7 8
Junior totals 18 3 9 12 6
Senior totals 10 2 5 7 8

Awards and honors

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Awards Year Ref
College
All-Big Ten Freshman Team 2015 [3]
All-Big Ten First Team
Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year 2016 [5]
All-Big Ten First Team
AHCA West First-Team All-American 2016 [6]
Big Ten All-Tournament Team 2016 [7]
AHL
Calder Cup champion 2016 [13]
NHL
Rookie of the month (November) 2016 [36]
NHL All-Star Game 2018, 2022 [21]
International
World Junior Championships – Best Defenseman 2016 [33]
World Junior Championships All-Star Team

References

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  1. ^ "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. Retrieved 2019-01-02.
  2. ^ "Zach Werenski Bio". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  3. ^ a b "Hyman, Larkin Lead Quintet of U-M All-Big Ten Honorees". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. March 16, 2015. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
  4. ^ "Hockey Postseason Honors Announced". Archived from the original on March 17, 2016. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
  5. ^ a b "Connor, Berenson Head List of All-Big Ten Award Winners". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. March 14, 2016. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  6. ^ a b "Four Icers Earn All-America Honors; Connor Named Top Rookie". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. April 8, 2016. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
  7. ^ a b "2016 All-Tournament Team" (PDF). MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. March 19, 2016. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  8. ^ "2016 Big Ten Men's Ice Hockey Tournament Game 5 Notes" (PDF). MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. March 19, 2016. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  9. ^ "Werenski, Incoming Freshman Connor Selected in 2015 NHL Draft". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. June 26, 2015. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
  10. ^ "Blue Jackets sign Zach Werenski to three-year, entry level contract". Columbus Blue Jackets. March 29, 2016. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  11. ^ "Zach Werenski signs amateur tryout contract with AHL's Lake Erie Monsters". Columbus Blue Jackets. March 29, 2016. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  12. ^ "Werenski's First Pro Goal Lifts Monsters to OT Win". Lake Erie Monsters. April 9, 2016. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
  13. ^ a b Brown, Tony (June 12, 2016). "Bjorkstrand's OT goal clinches Monsters' first-ever Calder Cup championship". Columbus Blue Jackets. Retrieved June 12, 2016.
  14. ^ Merz, Craig (October 14, 2016). "Brad Marchand's five points help Bruins win opener". NHL.com. Retrieved October 16, 2016.
  15. ^ Merz, Craig (October 16, 2016). "Sharks hand Blue Jackets second straight loss". NHL.com. Retrieved October 16, 2016.
  16. ^ "November rookie of the month: Columbus Blue Jackets' Zach Werenski". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
  17. ^ Lukan, Alison (March 10, 2017). "Werenski breaks franchise rookie points record". NHL.com. Columbus Blue Jackets. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  18. ^ "Blue Jackets rookie Zach Werenski is out for the season with facial fracture". The Washington Post. April 17, 2017.
  19. ^ "Blue Jackets' Werenski out for balance of NHL playoffs". cbc.ca. April 17, 2017. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  20. ^ "Zach Werenski Finishes Third in Calder Memorial Trophy Race". The Cannon. Jun 21, 2017.
  21. ^ a b "Zach Werenski added to Metro team roster at 2018 Honda NHL All-Star Game". NHL.com. Columbus Blue Jackets. January 26, 2018. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  22. ^ Hedger, Brian (May 3, 2018). "Growing Pains: Shoulder surgery among multiple hurdles Werenski faced". NHL.com. Retrieved May 3, 2018. Werenski and Jones each scored 16 goals to share the franchise record for goals by a defenseman in a single season
  23. ^ Merz, Craig (April 24, 2018). "Werenski played through injury most of season for Blue Jackets". NHL.com. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  24. ^ Merz, Craig (May 3, 2018). "Werenski could miss training camp for Blue Jackets after shoulder surgery". NHL.com. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  25. ^ "Werenski signs three-year contract with Blue Jackets". National Hockey League. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  26. ^ "Draisaitl wins Art Ross, Ovechkin wins ninth Richard Trophy". Reuters. 2020-05-29. Retrieved 2020-06-07.
  27. ^ "Werenski out for season for Blue Jackets with sports hernia". NHL.com. Retrieved 2021-07-30.
  28. ^ "Blue Jackets' Werenski to miss rest of season with sports hernia injury". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 2021-07-30.
  29. ^ O'Leary, Sean. "Blue Jackets' Werenski to undergo sports hernia surgery, out for season". theScore.com. Retrieved 2021-07-30.
  30. ^ Hedger, Brian. "With big six-year contract, Zach Werenski becomes face of Blue Jackets franchise". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 2021-08-02.
  31. ^ "Zach Werenski Statistics". USA Hockey. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  32. ^ "Werenski Named Captain of U.S. World Junior Team". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 22, 2015.
  33. ^ a b "Puljujarvi MVP, Best Forward". International Ice Hockey Federation. January 5, 2016. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
  34. ^ "Zach Werenski: Mój dziadek jest Polakiem. Opowiadał mi o swojej ojczyźnie". Hokej.Net (in Polish). 2019-05-23. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  35. ^ Planet of Hockey (2024-05-19). Zach Werenski po meczu Polska — Stany Zjednoczone. Retrieved 2024-11-21 – via YouTube.
  36. ^ "Zach Werenski named NHL's top rookie for November". NHL.com. December 1, 2016.
[edit]
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Columbus Blue Jackets first round draft pick
2015 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year
2016 		Succeeded by
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