RW Jakub Voracek on Last Men In Ballot for All-Star Game slated for Saturday, February 5 in Las Vegas

COLUMBUS, OHIO – Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski was among 40 players selected to participate in the 2022 Honda NHL All-Star Game® at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, February 5, the League and club announced tonight.  In addition, forward Jakub Voracek was named as one of 32 candidates on the 2022 NHL All-Star Last Men In, which gives fans the ability to vote for the final player on each division All-Star roster for this year’s event.

Werenski, 24, has recorded six goals and 15 assists for 21 points with eight penalty minutes, three power play goals and 96 shots on goal, while averaging 26:34 of ice time in 32 games this season.  He leads the team in TOI/GP and shots and ranks second in assists, third in PPG and fourth in points.  He also ranks second-T in the NHL in time on ice as well as fourth-T among League blueliners in PPG, seventh-T in shots and 11^th-T in goals.  This year will mark the second All-Star Game appearance for the Grosse Pointe, Michigan native who collected an assist for the Metropolitan Division at the 2018 All-Star Game at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.

The Blue Jackets’ first round selection, eighth overall, at the 2015 NHL Draft, Werenski has totaled 71-139-210, 79 penalty minutes, 17 PPG, 11 game-winning goals, 925 shots and a cumulative +11 plus/minus rating in 367 career NHL contests.  He owns the career franchise record for defensemen for most goals and ranks second in points, GWG and shots and third in assists.  The 6-2, 213-pound blueliner also ranks fifth-T among NHL defensemen in goals and 18th in points since making his NHL debut in 2016-17.  

Voracek, 32, has collected 1-24-25, 12 penalty minutes, 10 power play assists and 20 primary assists, while averaging 17:00 of ice time in 34 outings this season.  The 6-2, 209-pound forward, who became the 361^st player in NHL history to skate in his 1,000^th career game on January 6 at New Jersey, is tied for second in the League in primary assists and ranks 12th-T in PP assists in 2021-22. 

The Kladno, Czech Republic native was originally drafted by the Blue Jackets in the first round, seventh overall, at the 2007 NHL Draft and reacquired in a trade from the Philadelphia Flyers on July 24, 2021.  He has racked up 217-546-763, 493 PIM, 191 PPA and 333 primary assists in 1,002 career games with the Blue Jackets and Flyers since making his NHL debut in 2008-09.  He skated in his lone NHL All-Star Game in 2015 at Nationwide Arena.

Back for a third season, the 2022 NHL All-Star Last Men In will allow fans to select four players from a list of 32 All-Star caliber players – one from each NHL team (determined by the League’s Hockey Operations Department).  The highest vote-getters by division then will be added to their respective All-Star rosters.  Voting for the Last Men In is open now through Monday, Jan. 17, at 11:59 p.m. ET.  Fans can vote on NHL.com/Vote or the NHL app.  The All-Stars will take part in a three-game tournament, played in a 3-on-3 format, and featuring four teams representing each NHL division.  Each division’s roster consists of nine skaters and two goalies.

Live television coverage of the League’s midseason showcase includes the 2022 NHL All-Star Skills Competition presented by DraftKings Sportsbook, which will be broadcast live by ESPN in the U.S. on Friday, February 4 at 7:30 p.m. ET.  The 2022 Honda NHL All-Star Game® will be televised live on ABC in the U.S. at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 5.

The following Blue Jackets have been selected to participate in the NHL All-Star Game: Werenski (2018, 2021), defenseman Seth Jones (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020; missed 2018 game due to injury), goaltender Joonas Korpisalo (2020; missed game due to injury), right wing Cam Atkinson (2017, 2019), goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (2017 and 2015; missed 2015 game due to injury), left wing Brandon Saad (2016), center Ryan Johansen (2015, voted game’s Most Valuable Player), left wing Rick Nash (2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011), left wing Ray Whitney (2003) and center Espen Knutsen (2002).

‐ CBJ ‐

Single game tickets for all home games played at Nationwide Arena during the 2021-22 season are on sale now.  Partial season tickets for the Blue Jackets’ 2021-22 campaign are also currently available for purchase.  Information on all ticketing options can be obtained by calling (800) NHL‐COLS or by visiting BlueJackets.com.

COURTESY CBJ COMMUNICATIONS