© Brad Penner-Imagn ImagesColumbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski has agreed to play for Team USA at the upcoming IIHF World Championships, which begin on May 9.
This comes after he originally told reporters on locker clean-out day (April 18) that he wouldn’t be heading overseas due to a busy summer. Plans have changed, and now Werenski is suiting up to represent his country once again.
He’ll look to build off a strong season with the Blue Jackets and his impressive showing at the 4-Nations Face-Off earlier this year, where he led all players in points. He finished that tournament with six assists in four games, helping Team USA take home silver.
In the regular season, Werenski had a monster year—posting 23 goals and 59 assists for 82 points in 81 games. That performance earned him a Norris Trophy nomination.
Now, he’ll try to carry that momentum into international play and help the U.S. take a run at gold—hopefully with a shot at their longtime rivals, Team Canada.
