The 2025-26 season didn’t end the best way the Columbus Blue Jackets had hoped, as they simply missed out on the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Still, blueliner Zach Werenski had a stellar season. He set a franchise record with 26 multiple-point games, while also ending tied for second in franchise history in points in a single season. This led to Werenski being named a finalist for the Norris Trophy, together with Cale Makar and Rasmus Dahlin.
Now, Werenski has won the award, given out to the defensive player who shows the best all-around ability at his position. He learned about winning the award along with his family, giving the proper response, per Nicholas J. Cotsonika of NHL.com.
Werenski was gathered with members of his family at his home on Sunday. The gathering is a traditional occurrence for the family, as they accomplish that each Sunday. On this Sunday, Werenski, and his wife, Odette, were celebrating with their two and a half week old son, Hudson. Meanwhile, his brother and his wife had just welcomed their secon child the night before.
NHL Productions got here by to do a feature on Werenski. He was told it was a couple of Father’s Day feature. The Jackets blueliner was giving an interview along with his back to the patio.
“Obviously, I would not be here without her and all the pieces she does for me,” Zach said, referring to Odette. “And I’m really looking forward to this next chapter, being a dad.”
While speaking, Glenn Stants from the Hockey Hall of Fame snuck up behind him, holding the trophy. Werenski didn’t notice. This led to the interviewer attempting to drop hints for Werenski to show around, finally asking about momentos he would want to point out his son.
“Perhaps show him your name engraved on a trophy?” the author said.
“Yeah, perhaps,” the Jackets star responded.
Finally, Werenski turned around and saw the Norris Trophy.
The right response for a family man
“I’m confused, to be honest with you, guys. It’s incredible,” Werenski said before addressing his family. “Thanks, guys.”
It was a special moment for the star player, whose father got here up and hugged him after Zach realized he had won the award.
“That is what it’s all about,” Zach said. “I mean, I would not be here without them. Obviously, in a way, it’s a person award. But without them, without my teammates, without an amazing support staff and system, I would not be on this position, and I do know that. For them to be here today and revel in this with me, it means all the pieces.”
It was the primary time that Werenski won the award. He finished with 113 first-place votes, while Cale Makar, Rasmus Dahlin, Evan Bouchard, and Moritz Seider rounded out the highest five. The defender also knew it was a competitive field for the award this 12 months.
“You could possibly name five, six, seven more ‘D’ that might easily be deserving of this trophy,” Werenski said. “It’s an amazing time for defensemen within the NHL and in hockey, and I’m just grateful to be an element of it. I feel all of us push one another to be higher. I do know last 12 months once I didn’t win, I used to be excited for this 12 months. I used to be excited to be higher and push myself, and I feel like all of us try this.”
Now, Werenski gets to have a good time each the award and being a father for the primary time. Next season, he’ll hope for a return to the Stanley Cup playoffs, along with his family within the stands.
The 2025-26 season didn’t end the best way the Columbus Blue Jackets had hoped, as they simply missed out on the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Still, blueliner Zach Werenski had a stellar season. He set a franchise record with 26 multiple-point games, while also ending tied for second in franchise history in points in a single season.