Blue Jackets’ Zach Werenski wins 2026 Norris Trophy
One of the premier blueliners in the game is taking home some hardware.
On Tuesday, it was announced that Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski was awarded the Norris Trophy as the best defender in the NHL.
As has become the norm over the past couple of years, the reveal was made in a produced video, with Werenski receiving the trophy at a family barbecue.
Zach Werenski thought this was just a regular family BBQ, but he was in for quite a surprise! 🎉 His whole family was on hand to celebrate the first James Norris Memorial Trophy of his career! #NHLAwards
Werenski beat out Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin and the Colorado Avalanche’s Cale Makar for the honor this year. He’s also the first player from the Blue Jackets to win the Norris.
The Grosse Pointe, Mich. native was exceptional on a Blue Jackets team that had a roller coaster of a season. After a trying start to the season, the team fired Dean Evason as head coach, bringing in veteran Rick Bowness to right the ship. The move paid off, as Werenski and company were one of the hottest teams in the NHL during the second half of the campaign. Ultimately, Columbus came short of reaching the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but it didn’t take away from the impressive season that Werenski had.
The 28-year-old reached the 80-point mark for the second season in a row, scoring 22 goals and 59 assists for 81 points. A two-time finalist for the Norris, Werenski sat second in the NHL in defensive scoring, with his 81 points only trailing Edmonton Oilers defender Evan Bouchard. Werenski ended the regular season first in shots on goal (260) by a defenseman, with a 1.08 points per game, placing him second by Bouchard as well. Werenski was also second in the league in average time on ice (26:37).
In his career, Werenski is a two-time all-star, having been named a first-team all-star in 2024-25. In appearing in 642 regular-season games, he has scored 135 goals and 330 assists for 465 points, with another 13 points in 29 postseason games.