APRIL 9, 2021

COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Columbus Blue Jackets have placed defenseman Zach Werenski on Injured Reserve due to an inguinal/sports hernia, club General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced today.  He is expected to undergo surgery next week to repair the injury and will miss the remainder of the 2020-21 season. 

Werenski, 23, has collected seven goals and 13 assists for 20 points and 13 penalty minutes in 35 games this season, leading club defensemen in goals and ranking second in points.  He also ranks second on the club in averaging 24:22 TOI per game.

“Zach has been playing through the injury for most of the season and as much as we would like to have him in the lineup, having the surgery now is the right decision and will allow him to be 100 percent before the start of training camp in the fall,” said Kekalainen.

A 2017 Calder Trophy finalist and All-Rookie Team selection who made his All-Star Game debut in 2018, Werenski has registered 65-124-189 and 71 penalty minutes with a cumulative +13 plus/minus rating in 335 games during his five NHL seasons.  In 2019-20, he set a club record and led all NHL blueliners in goals when he notched 20-21-41, 10 penalty minutes and was +9 in 63 outings.  The former University of Michigan standout was selected by Columbus in the first round, eighth overall, at the 2015 NHL Draft.

The Blue Jackets return to action on Saturday when they host the Chicago Blackhawks.  Puck drop from Nationwide Arena is set for 7 p.m. ET.  Live coverage on Bally Sports Ohio begins with the Blue Jackets Live pre-game show starting at 6:30 p.m.  All Blue Jackets games televised on Bally Sports Ohio will also be streamed live via the Bally Sports app.  The game may also be heard on the Eldorado Scioto Downs Blue Jackets Radio Network, including Sports Radio 97.1 FM in Columbus, and online at BlueJackets.com.

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