COLUMBUS, OHIO—Zach Werenski stood outside the Blue Jackets dressing room and talked about all the other NHL rookies who are having spectacular seasons.
“Matthew Tkachuk and Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner and William Nylander and Patrik Laine. There’s just so many, you can go on and on,” said Werenski.
Indeed, this year more than most, you certainly can. And you can add Werenski’s name to that list — a former teammate of both Matthews and Tkachuk on the U.S. development team who played against Marner, Laine and Nylander in international tournaments.
“It’s crazy to see,” said Werenski. “You play against these guys growing up and you see how good they are. It really doesn’t surprise you, but when you all get to the NHL it kind of does.”
When it comes to season-end voting for the Calder Trophy, which goes to the rookie of the year, all of the above will warrant mention. But in Columbus, the talk is all about Werenski. The 19-year-old is on the top defence pairing with Seth Jones, logging all kinds of minutes and anchoring the power play.
“I put him against the top players in the league,” said Columbus coach John Tortorella. “He’s a defenceman. That’s what I’m thrilled about. What he’s done, and what we’re expecting of him, at that position is crucial for this organization.
“We’re thrilled with what we see in him, and what he sees he can be. He’s a tremendous student of the game, a great kid. The organization here is set up pretty nicely. (Defence) is a tough position to play.”
The six-foot-two, 204-pound blue-liner played two years at the University of Michigan and was drafted eighth overall in 2015. He went pro last spring, getting into a handful of games with Lake Erie through its AHL playoff drive, then came to camp without lofty expectations.
“I wanted to make the team, help the team win, play hard,” said Werenski. “As the year goes on, you figure out where you are in the lineup, what your role is. Since then, I’ve tried to add some more expectations, play better every night.”
Heading into Wednesday’s action, Werenski sat seventh in rookie scoring — and tops among defencemen — with eight goals and 23 assists. He averages 21:14 minutes a game, fourth among first-year player.
“I’ve always been a confident player, so I’m not going to say it surprises me,” he said. “At the same time, coming in as a 19-year-old and playing top pair is something I never really expected.”
Werenski and Matthews — opponents for the first time on Wednesday night — have been friends for some time. They form a mutual admiration society.
“His game is so complete, a 200-foot player,” Weresnki said of Matthews. “He can score goals, it seems like, whenever he wants. The Maple Leafs are lucky to have him.”
Matthews was the first to text congratulations to Werenski when he was named rookie of the month for November, the only non-Leaf to earn that honour this season.
“You don’t see people control the puck the way he does,” Matthews said of Werenski. “He’s a big body, he’s got a long stick, and he’s tough to play against.”
Defence partner Jones — drafted fourth overall in 2013 and just three years older — is also impressed.
“His poise with the puck,” said Jones. “To be put in a first-pair role to start his career is not easy. He’s played 25 minutes with me a few games. He’s leading our power play. He’s been nothing but spectacular for us all year, and only getting better.”
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