Brad Penner-Imagn ImagesAnother game, another milestone for Zach Werenski.
This season has been spectacular for the young defenseman from Gross Pointe, Michigan. Werenski has smashed personal and team records on his way to becoming the best defenseman in CBJ history.
Last night, with an assist, he passed the late, great Johnny Gaudreau(75) for the fifth most points in a single season in Jackets history.
The assist, his 55th, also tied Artemi Panarin(17-18) for the third most assists in a single season. With five games left, Werenski sits one assist behind Jake Voráček(56) and four assists behind Panarin(59) for the all-time assist mark in a single season.
Werenski also became the first U.S.-born defenseman to score 20 goals and total 75 points in a season since Brian Leetch did it for the New York Rangers in 2000-01. Leetch ended the season with 79 points.
This season, Werenski tied the franchise record for most goals by a defenseman in a season, set the record for most assists by a defenseman in a season, most points by a defenseman in a game, most assists in a career by ANY Blue Jacket, moved into 4th all-time in points, 1st all-time in 2+ assist games, 1st all-time in 3+ assist games, and by next season, he should be second or third in all-time points behind Rick Nash and Boone Jenner.
If he can get four assists in the last five games, he will be tied for #1 all-time in assists by any player in a single season. Five assists will put him atop all players.
We are witnessing the birth of a great career.
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