Zach Werenski

Werenski played in the 2009 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Detroit Belle Tire minor ice hockey team.{{cite web|url=https://www.publicationsports.com/ressources/files/439/Joueurs_Pro.pdf|title=Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA|year=2018|website=Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament|access-date=2019-01-02|archive-date=2019-03-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306085544/https://www.publicationsports.com/ressources/files/439/Joueurs_Pro.pdf|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite web| url = http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-hockey/mtt/zach_werenski_910455.html | title = Zach Werenski Bio | publisher = CBS Interactive | work = MGoBlue.com | access-date = March 22, 2015 }}

File:Second Period - Werenski "celebrates" his goal (16486719679) (1).jpg Wolverines in February 2015.|left|190px]]

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.{{cite web | url = http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/031615aab.html | title = Hyman, Larkin Lead Quintet of U-M All-Big Ten Honorees | publisher = CBS Interactive | work = MGoBlue.com | date = March 16, 2015 | access-date = March 16, 2015}} 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{{Cite news|url=http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/031416aaa.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317054005/http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/031416aaa.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 17, 2016|title=Hockey Postseason Honors Announced|access-date=December 7, 2016}} 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.{{cite web | url = http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/031416aab.html | title = Connor, Berenson Head List of All-Big Ten Award Winners | publisher = CBS Interactive | work = MGoBlue.com | date = March 14, 2016 | access-date = March 14, 2016}} He was also named an AHCA First Team All-American.{{cite web | url = http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/040816aac.html | title = Four Icers Earn All-America Honors; Connor Named Top Rookie | publisher = CBS Interactive | work = MGoBlue.com | date = April 8, 2016 | access-date = April 8, 2016}}

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.{{cite web | url = http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/big10/sports/m-hockey/auto_pdf/2015-16/misc_non_event/2016AllTournamentTeam.pdf | title = 2016 All-Tournament Team | publisher = CBS Interactive | work = MGoBlue.com | date = March 19, 2016 | access-date = March 19, 2016 | archive-date = April 1, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160401183713/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/big10/sports/m-hockey/auto_pdf/2015-16/misc_non_event/2016AllTournamentTeam.pdf | url-status = dead }}{{cite web | url = http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/big10/sports/w-gym/auto_pdf/2015-16/misc_non_event/2016NotesGame5.pdf | title = 2016 Big Ten Men's Ice Hockey Tournament Game 5 Notes | publisher = CBS Interactive | work = MGoBlue.com | date = March 19, 2016 | access-date = March 19, 2016 | archive-date = April 2, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160402041019/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/big10/sports/w-gym/auto_pdf/2015-16/misc_non_event/2016NotesGame5.pdf | url-status = dead }}

On June 26, 2015, Werenski was drafted 8th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2015 NHL entry draft.{{cite web | url = http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/062615aab.html | title = Werenski, Incoming Freshman Connor Selected in 2015 NHL Draft | publisher = CBS Interactive | work = MGoBlue.com | date = June 26, 2015 | access-date = June 26, 2015}}

On March 29, 2016, Werenski signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets, beginning with the 2016–17 season.{{cite web | url = http://bluejackets.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=875912 | title = Blue Jackets sign Zach Werenski to three-year, entry level contract | publisher = Columbus Blue Jackets | date = March 29, 2016 | access-date = March 29, 2016}} He was signed to an American Hockey League amateur tryout contract with the Lake Erie Monsters, the AHL affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets.{{cite web | url = http://bluejackets.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=875900 | title = Zach Werenski signs amateur tryout contract with AHL's Lake Erie Monsters | publisher = Columbus Blue Jackets | date = March 29, 2016 | access-date = March 29, 2016}}

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.{{cite web | url = http://www.lakeeriemonsters.com/recap/werenskis-first-pro-goal-lifts-monsters-ot-win | title = Werenski's First Pro Goal Lifts Monsters to OT Win | publisher = Lake Erie Monsters | date = April 9, 2016 | access-date = April 9, 2016}} During the 2016 Calder Cup playoffs, Werenski recorded five goals and nine assists, to help lead the Monsters to their first Calder Cup championship.{{cite web | url = http://bluejackets.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=885753 | title = Bjorkstrand's OT goal clinches Monsters' first-ever Calder Cup championship | publisher = Columbus Blue Jackets | first = Tony | last = Brown | date = June 12, 2016 | access-date = June 12, 2016}}

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.{{cite web|last1=Merz|first1=Craig|title=Brad Marchand's five points help Bruins win opener|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/brad-marchands-five-points-lead-bruins-past-blue-jackets/c-282641070|website=NHL.com|access-date=October 16, 2016|date=October 14, 2016}} On October 15, 2016, in his second NHL game, Werenski scored his first goal against Martin Jones of the San Jose Sharks.{{cite web |last=Merz |first=Craig |title=Sharks hand Blue Jackets second straight loss |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/sharks-give-blue-jackets-second-consecutive-loss-on-season/c-282708026 |website=NHL.com |access-date=October 16, 2016 |date=October 16, 2016}} 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.{{Cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/nhl/post/_/id/43240/november-rookie-of-the-month-columbus-blue-jackets-zach-werenski|title=November rookie of the month: Columbus Blue Jackets' Zach Werenski|newspaper=ESPN.com|access-date=December 7, 2016}}

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.{{cite web|last1=Lukan|first1=Alison|title=Werenski breaks franchise rookie points record|url=https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/werenski-breaks-franchise-rookie-points-record/c-287410014|website=NHL.com|publisher=Columbus Blue Jackets|access-date=21 December 2017|date=March 10, 2017}}

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.{{cite news | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2017/04/16/bloodied-blue-jackets-rookie-zach-werenski-returns-after-taking-puck-to-the-face/|title=Blue Jackets rookie Zach Werenski is out for the season with facial fracture|newspaper=The Washington Post |date=April 17, 2017}} He was not able to play for the remainder of the playoffs.{{cite web|title=Blue Jackets' Werenski out for balance of NHL playoffs|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/zach-werenski-done-for-playoffs-with-broken-cheekbone-1.4072894|website=cbc.ca|access-date=March 13, 2018|date=April 17, 2017}}

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.{{cite web | url = https://www.jacketscannon.com/2017/6/21/15850696/zach-werenski-finishes-third-in-calder-memorial-trophy-race | title = Zach Werenski Finishes Third in Calder Memorial Trophy Race | publisher = The Cannon | date = Jun 21, 2017}}

On January 26, 2018, Werenski was called to replace fellow defensemen Seth Jones at the 2018 NHL All-Star Game.{{cite web|title=Zach Werenski added to Metro team roster at 2018 Honda NHL All-Star Game|url=https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/zach-werenski-2018-honda-nhl-all-star-game/c-295333360|website=NHL.com|publisher=Columbus Blue Jackets|access-date=January 26, 2018|date=January 26, 2018}} At the conclusion of the season, Werenski tied with Jones for most goals by a Blue Jackets defensemen in a season, with 16.{{cite web|last1=Hedger|first1=Brian|title=Growing Pains: Shoulder surgery among multiple hurdles Werenski faced|url=https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/columbus-blue-jackets-werenski-surgery-0503/c-298427792|website=NHL.com|access-date=May 3, 2018|date=May 3, 2018|quote=Werenski and Jones each scored 16 goals to share the franchise record for goals by a defenseman in a single season}} 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.{{cite web|last1=Merz|first1=Craig|title=Werenski played through injury most of season for Blue Jackets|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/werenski-played-through-injury-most-of-the-season-for-columbus/c-298241368?tid=297171472|website=NHL.com|access-date=April 25, 2018|date=April 24, 2018}} During the post season, Werenski had surgery on his shoulder and was expected to miss 5–6 months.{{cite web|last1=Merz|first1=Craig|title=Werenski could miss training camp for Blue Jackets after shoulder surgery|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/zach-werenski-expected-to-recover-in-5-6-months-after-surgery/c-298426214|website=NHL.com|access-date=May 3, 2018|date=May 3, 2018}}

On September 9, 2019, the Blue Jackets signed Werenski to a three-year, $15 million contract extension.{{cite web |title=Werenski signs three-year contract with Blue Jackets |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/zach-werenski-three-year-contract-columbus-blue-jackets/c-308096920 |website=National Hockey League |access-date=September 9, 2019}}

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.{{Cite news|date=2020-05-29|title=Draisaitl wins Art Ross, Ovechkin wins ninth Richard Trophy|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-icehockey-nhl-awards-idUSKBN23502J|access-date=2020-06-07}}

File:Columbus Blue Jackets at Washington Capitals - February 8, 2022 - Lars Eller and Zach Werenski (51872643963).jpg in February 2022.]]

On April 9, 2021, Werenski was ruled out for the remainder of the 2020–21 season due to a sports hernia.{{Cite web|title=Werenski out for season for Blue Jackets with sports hernia|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/columbus-blue-jackets-zach-werenski-injury-out-for-season/c-323457718|access-date=2021-07-30|website=NHL.com|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=Blue Jackets' Werenski to miss rest of season with sports hernia injury|url=https://int-www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/blue-jackets-werenski-miss-rest-season-sports-hernia-injury/|access-date=2021-07-30|website=Sportsnet.ca|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=O'Leary|first=Sean|title=Blue Jackets' Werenski to undergo sports hernia surgery, out for season|url=https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/2150645|access-date=2021-07-30|website=theScore.com|language=en}}

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".{{Cite web|last=Hedger|first=Brian|title=With big six-year contract, Zach Werenski becomes face of Blue Jackets franchise|url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/sports/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/2021/07/29/blue-jackets-werenski-signs-six-year-contract-extension/5425619001/|access-date=2021-08-02|website=The Columbus Dispatch|language=en-US}}

The 2024–25 season proved to be a breakout year for both Werenski and his team, which narrowly missed qualification to the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs.{{cite web |title=The Case for Blue Jackets’ Zach Werenski to Win the Norris Trophy |url=https://thehockeywriters.com/case-for-blue-jackets-zach-werenski-to-win-the-norris-trophy/ |last=Arnold |first=Nicholas |website=The Hockey Writers |date=April 30, 2025 |access-date=April 30, 2025}} He finished second in league scoring among defensemen (behind only Cale Makar), and set single-season records for a Blue Jackets defenseman in goals (23), assists (59) and points (82). For the first time in his career he was named a finalist for the James Norris Memorial Trophy, awarded by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association to the league's best defenseman.{{cite web |title=Quinn Hughes, Makar, Werenski named Norris Trophy finalists |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/norris-trophy-finalists-for-best-defenseman-for-2024-25-announced-by-nhl |website=NHL.com |date=April 29, 2025 |access-date=April 30, 2025}}

{{MedalTableTop|name = }}

{{MedalCountry | {{ih|USA}} }}

{{MedalSport | Ice hockey}}

{{MedalCompetition|4 Nations Face-Off}}

{{MedalRU|2025 Canada/United States|}}

{{MedalCompetition|World Championships}}

{{MedalGold|2025 Sweden/Denmark|}}

{{MedalCompetition|IIHF World Junior Championship}}

{{MedalBronze | 2016 Finland | }}

{{MedalCompetition|World U-17 Hockey Challenge}}

{{MedalGold | 2014 Canada |}}

{{MedalBottom}}

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.{{cite web| url = http://worldjuniors.usahockey.com/page/show/1505195-zach-werenski | title = Zach Werenski Statistics | publisher = USA Hockey | access-date = March 22, 2015 }}

Werenski was named captain of the Team USA at the 2016 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.{{cite web | url = http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/122215aaa.html | title = Werenski Named Captain of U.S. World Junior Team | publisher = CBS Interactive | work = MGoBlue.com | date = December 22, 2015 | access-date = December 22, 2015}} 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.{{cite web | url = http://www.worldjunior2016.com/en/news/puljujarvi-mvp/ | title = Puljujarvi MVP, Best Forward | publisher = International Ice Hockey Federation | date = January 5, 2016 | access-date = January 5, 2016}}

Werenski represented the United States at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, where he recorded one goal and five assists in seven games and helped Team USA win their first gold medal since 1933. He was subsequently named to the All-Star team and named Best Defenceman of the tournament by the directorate.{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/olympics/news/iihf-world-championship-hockey-2025-final |title=U.S. men’s hockey team wins first standalone world championship since 1933 |website=NBC Sports |first=Nick |last=Zaccardi |date=May 25, 2025 |access-date=May 25, 2025}}

Werenski is of Polish descent.{{Cite web |date=2019-05-23 |title=Zach Werenski: Mój dziadek jest Polakiem. Opowiadał mi o swojej ojczyźnie |url=https://hokej.net/artykul/zach-werenski-moj-dziadek-jest-polakiem-opowiadal-mi-o-swojej-ojczyznie#google_vignette |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=Hokej.Net |language=pl}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=WGcJPaKyZns |title=Zach Werenski po meczu Polska — Stany Zjednoczone |date=2024-05-19 |last=Planet of Hockey |access-date=2024-11-21 |via=YouTube}}

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• {{Ice hockey stats}}

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{{succession box | before = Sonny Milano | title = Columbus Blue Jackets first round draft pick | years = 2015 | after = Gabriel Carlsson}}

{{succession box | before = Mike Reilly | title = Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year | years = 2015–16 | after = Jake Bischoff}}

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Category:1997 births

Category:Living people

Category:AHCA Division I men's ice hockey All-Americans

Category:American men's ice hockey defensemen

Category:American people of Polish descent

Category:Columbus Blue Jackets draft picks

Category:Columbus Blue Jackets players

Category:Ice hockey people from Detroit

Category:Ice hockey people from Wayne County, Michigan

Category:Lake Erie Monsters players

Category:Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey players

Category:National Hockey League All-Stars

Category:NHL first-round draft picks

Category:Sportspeople from Grosse Pointe, Michigan

Category:USA Hockey National Team Development Program players

Category:21st-century American sportsmen

Category:4 Nations Face-Off players