COLUMBUS, Ohio — Things could not be going any better for Zach Werenski as he prepares for his first appearance in the Olympics.
The Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman, who’ll play for Team USA in the Milan Cortina Games, has a point in seven straight games and is the first blueliner to score 20 goals before an Olympic break.
Werenski reached the milestone goal during the first period of the Blue Jackets’ 4-0 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night. The goal also made him the third American defenseman in NHL history with consecutive 20-goal seasons, joining Phil Housley and Reed Larson.
The 28-year old Grosse Pointe, Michigan, native also has the most points by a defenseman before an Olympic break with 62 (20 goals, 42 assists).
Mike Green had the previous mark with 60 points for the Washington Capitals before the 2010 Vancouver Games. Green, however, did not make the roster for Team Canada.
“I feel like I can kind of do anything that I’m asked of,” said Werenski, who has two goals and eight assists in his last seven games. “And it’s important in a tournament like that where you have guys coming together in a short amount of time, you have to accept the role you’re given and the minutes you’re given. I feel like I’m ready for whatever they give me.”
Werenski served notice during last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off that he can excel on both ends of the ice with six assists. It was the first time in NHL-sanctioned international tournaments – which include the Canada Cup, World Cup of Hockey and 4 Nations Face-Off – that a defenseman led all skaters in assists and points.
“I feel like I’m playing probably some of the best defensive hockey I’ve played in a long time, which is important since Bones (coach Rick Bowness) has gotten here to kind of clean up that area,” Werenski said. “The offense is still coming. So yeah, I feel really good about my game.”
Werenski will fly to Milan on Thursday and participate in Friday’s opening ceremony. He decided to arrive a couple days early after watching the Netflix documentary “Miracle: The Boys of ’80” and hearing about the experiences those players had going to the Olympics.
Werenski also said it was important to make sure he didn’t have any regrets about missing anything.
“At first, I kind of thought it would be nice to get a few days rest here, but this is once in a lifetime and I want to be there for it and I want to experience everything I can,” Werenski said. “I felt like getting there a few days early wouldn’t hurt to get acclimated, either, to the time zone and I can rest a few days there and get on that schedule and just enjoy everything it has to offer.”
Werenski isn’t the only Blue Jackets player headed to Milan. Goaltender Elvis Merzlikins will represent Latvia, which opens against the United States on Tuesday.
“Honestly, I hope he goes over there and has an unbelievable tournament and shows everyone how good of a goalie he is,” Werenski said of Merzlikins. “I’m rooting for him. Obviously not against the U.S., but I hope he plays great. When we’re playing him, it’s all business, but when we’re not, I’m a fan of his.”
The Blue Jackets go into the Olympic break on a seven-game winning streak and are 10-1 since Bowness replaced Dean Evason on Jan. 12. Columbus has gone from last place in the Eastern Conference to only two points out of a playoff spot.
“As excited as I am to go to Milan and represent our country in the Olympics, I’m close to equally excited to get back here and get back with the guys already,” Werenski said. “It’s something special in here and we’ve put in the hard work recently and we’re getting rewarded for it.”
