COLUMBUS, Ohio — While the Columbus Blue Jackets might be missing the playoffs, one defenseman is in the finals for the James Norris Memorial Trophy. 

Zach Werenski is among three finalists for the award, which is given annually to the NHL’s top defensive player who demonstrates the greatest all-around ability throughout the season. The two other finalists are Colorado’s Cale Makar and Vancouver’s Quinn Hughes. 

Werenski set single-season franchise records among defensemen scoring 23 goals, and 59 assists for 82 points with 298 shots on goal on 26:45 of ice time in 81 appearances this season. The 27-year-old Michigan native led the NHL in total time on ice, 2,166:22 and ice time and finished third in shots on goal.

He led the league blueliners in even strength goals, 17, even strength points, tied at 54, and shots on goal. He ranked second in goals, points, power play goals, tied 5, and game-winning goals, 5, and fourth in assists.

Werenski led the Blue Jackets in assists, points, multi-assist, 14, multi-point efforts, 22, and shots on goals while ranking second in goals and points-per-game, 1.01. He matched the franchise mark for assists in a season, held by Artemi Panarin during the 2018-2019 season, and tied for the second-most points in a campaign, matching Panarin’s record during the 2017-2018 season.

He is the first U.S.-born blueliner to record 23-plus goals in a campaign since Brian Leetch in 1993-1994, as well as 20 goals and 80 points since Gary Suter in 1992-1993, 23-58-81, 81 GP. Werenski also tied Phil Housley, 22 GP in 1991-92, for the third-longest home points streak by a defenseman in league history with 14-27-41 in 22 contests from November 1-February 22.

On March 9, the blueliner became the Blue Jacket’s all-time assists leader, surpassing Rick Nash with his 259th career helper. Werenski ranks third on the club’s all-time list in points, is tied for sixth in goals and games played with 113-271-384 in 567 career games in nine NHL seasons with the teams.

Werenski was selected by Columbus in the first round at the eighth pick in the 2015 NHL draft.