Zach Werenski
Jersey Number: 8
Player information for Zach Werenski
Position
Defense
Height
6'2" (188cm)
Born
July 19, 1997
Number
8
Shoots
Left
Weight
214 lbs (97kg)
Birthplace
Grosse Pointe, Michigan, USA
Years in Columbus
10
Player Images
Player Career Notes
- Has notched 135-330-465, 164 penalty minutes and a +7 plus/minus rating in 642 career games over 10 seasons with the Blue Jackets from 2016-26.
- Is the franchise’s all-time leader in assists and ranks second 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).
- Is the third American-born defenseman in NHL history with consecutive 20-goal seasons from 2024-26 (Phil Housley, Reed Larson) and 80-point campaigns (Housley, Brian Leetch).
- Led NHL blueliners in shots, multi-point games, even-strength goals (tied) and ranked second in points and even-strength points and third-T in goals in 2025-26 with 22-59-81, 18-41-59 at even strength, 26 multi-point efforts and 260 shots in 75 contests.
- 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 and posted 5-9-14 in 17 postseason contests, 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 2026 Olympic Games (gold), three IIHF World Championships (2019, 2024 and 2025-gold), 2025 4 Nations Faceoff as well as two IIHF World Junior Championships (2015, 2016-bronze).
- Registered the “Golden Goal” in overtime to propel the United States to a 2-1 victory over Canada on Feb. 19, 2026 for the country’s first gold medal at the Olympics since 1980.
- 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 | 75 | 22 | 59 | 81 | 7 | 18 | 260 |
| Totals | 642 | 135 | 330 | 465 | 11 | 164 | 1846 |
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.