Blue Jackets activate Zach Werenski off IR, assign David Jiricek to AHL
Columbus Blue Jackets General Manager and Alternate Governor Jarmo Kekalainen announced on Thursday that defenseman Zach Werenski has been activated off Injured Reserve and defenseman David Jiricek has been assigned to the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters.
#CBJ NEWS: Zach Werenski has been activated off Injured Reserve and David Jiricek has been assigned to @monstershockey
Great to see Z back after 10 games out. Will have more on Jiricek later, but the plan is for him to play big minutes in Cleveland.https://t.co/rdXUklgYqe
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) January 25, 2024
Werenski, 26, missed the last 10 games due to an ankle injury suffered on Dec. 27 against the New Jersey Devils. Werenski was off to a strong start to the season, scoring one goal and 24 assists for 25 points through 34 games.
Despite missing 12 total games this season, Werenski is still tied with rookie forward Adam Fantilli for second on the team in points, four behind Johnny Gaudreau and his 29.
He was on pace for 60 points over an 82-game season, which would have been the first time he eclipsed the 50-point mark. However, the injury is consistent with the rest of his career, having been unable to play at least 70 games in a season since 2018-19.
Through 36 games this season, the 20-year-old Jiricek has one goal and eight assists for nine points. He was the No. 6 overall pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
Through the 2022-23 campaign, Jiricek scored six goals and 32 assists for 38 points in 55 games, leading the Monsters blue line in scoring. He was named to the AHL’s Top Prospect Team last season. Also, while representing Czechia at the 2023 World Junior Championships, he was named the tournament’s Best Defenseman, helping the team win a silver medal.
The Blue Jackets are in Alberta to face the Calgary Flames on Thursday night, then head to Vancouver to face the Canucks on Saturday, then wrap up the west coast road trip against the Seattle Kraken on Sunday night.