Zach Werenski

Jersey Number: 8

Position

Defense

Height

6'2" (188cm)

Born

July 19, 1997

Number

Shoots

Left

Weight

214 lbs (97kg)

Birthplace

Grosse Pointe, Michigan, USA

Years in Columbus

Player Career Notes

Has notched 113-271-384, 146 penalty minutes and a +4 plus/minus rating in 567 career games with the Blue Jackets from 2016-25.
Entered 2026-27 as the franchise’s all-time leader in assists and ranks third in points, as well as owns club records for most goals, assists and points by a defenseman.
Has skated in two NHL All-Star Games with the Blue Jackets (2018, 2022).
Selected to the NHL’s First All-Star Team and finished second in voting for the Norris Trophy (top defenseman) in 2024-25 after setting new single-season franchise records among blueliners in goals, assists, points, shots on goal and ice time with 23-59-82, 298 shots and 25:45 TOI in 81 contests.
Led the NHL in TOI/GP in 2024-25, while also ranking third in shots on goal as well as leading league blueliners in shots and even strength goals (7), second in goals, points, power play goals (tied), and even strength points (54) as well as fourth in assists.
Tied the single-season club record for assists in 2024-25 (Artemi Panarin, 2018-19).
Was the first U.S.-born defenseman to record 23-plus goals in a campaign since Brian Leetch in 1993-93 (23) as well as 20 goals and 80 points since Gary Suter in 1992-93 (23-58-81, 81 GP).
Became the all-time franchise leader in assists on Mar. 9, 2025 at the NY Rangers, surpassing Rick Nash’s 258 helpers.
Tied the club record for points in a game and set a new mark among blueliners with 2-3-5 on Nov. 21, 2024 vs. Tampa Bay.
Became the franchise’s all-time leader in points by a defenseman (224) with an assist on Mar. 7, 2022 vs. Toronto, surpassing Seth Jones (223).
Led NHL blueliners and set a single-season franchise record for defensemen with 20 goals in 2019-20.
Finished third in the Calder Trophy voting and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 2016-17 after setting the franchise rookie record in assists and points with 11-36-47 in 78 contests.
His 47 points were the sixth-most points by a teenage defenseman in his rookie season in NHL history.
Made his pro debut at the end of the 2015-16 campaign, helping the Lake Erie Monsters capture the 2016 Calder Cup.
Finished with 5-9-14 in 17 postseason contests on the club’s run, finishing second among AHL defensemen in goals (tied) and points and recorded the most assists and points by an 18-year old in a single playoff in AHL history.
Totaled 20-41-61 in 71 games over two seasons at the University of Michigan from 2014-16.
Was named to the Big Ten First All-Star and All-Rookie teams in 2014-15 and selected to the NCAA First All-American Team, Big Ten All-Star Team and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2015-16.
Has represented the United States in numerous international tournaments, including the 2019, 2024 and 2025 (gold medal) IIHF World Championships, 2025 4 Nations Faceoff as well as 2015 and 2016 (bronze) IIHF World Junior Championships.
Led the 4 Nations Faceoff in assists and points with 0-6-6 in four contests and was named Best Defenseman and to the tournament All-Star Team at the 2025 IIHF World Championships.

CBJ Career Regular Season Stats

Season	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM	SOG
2016-2017	78	11	36	47	17	14	188
2017-2018	77	16	21	37	8	16	207
2018-2019	82	11	33	44	-12	18	168
2019-2020	63	20	21	41	9	10	187
2020-2021	35	7	13	20	-9	13	79
2021-2022	68	11	37	48	-15	22	216
2022-2023	13	3	5	8	-6	0	41
2023-2024	70	11	46	57	0	22	202
2024-2025	81	23	59	82	12	31	298
2025-2026	71	22	58	80	10	16	240
Totals	638	135	329	464	14	162	1826

CBJ Playoff Statistics

Season	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM	SOG
2016-2017	3	1	0	1	-2	0	14
2017-2018	6	1	2	3	0	2	18
2018-2019	10	1	5	6	3	9	15
2019-2020	10	1	2	3	1	4	26
Playoff Totals	29	4	9	13	2	15	73

Transaction History

Drafted by Columbus in the first-round, eighth overall, at the 2015 NHL Draft.

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Player Images

Player Career Notes

CBJ Career Regular Season Stats

CBJ Playoff Statistics

Transaction History