COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Blue Jackets star Zach Werenski serves game-winning moves on the ice, but on Monday, the skilled defenseman served smiles at the Jet’s Pizza in Lewis Center.

Hundreds of CBJ fans waited hours in line to meet Werenski, get his autograph, and take a picture. The event started at 1 PM and was supposed to end at 3 PM, but he stayed 15 minutes late to make sure everyone got their time.

“I love coming here and doing this stuff,” said Werenski. “They’ve put on a great event here. Having all the fans come on today was exciting.”

CBJ fans were treated to a free t-shirt to be signed, as well as free pizza, water, and popsicles, courtesy of Jet’s Pizza. The fifth line traveled from all over, including a family from Geugua County.

“At first I was nervous, but now I’m like, ‘Oh my God, I met Zach!'” said young CBJ fan Brennen Newell.

His mother, Darci, said the two-hour and 40-minute drive to Columbus was worth it. After they met Werenski, they headed to Strongsville for a hockey clinic through the Cleveland Monsters.

“It was unbelievable,” said Brennen’s mother, Darci. “His eyes lit up. We had an issue last night. He wanted to quit hockey. He said he wasn’t good enough. So then meeting Zach today was kind of just reassurance for him to keep playing.”

Werenski is coming off his best season as a Blue Jacket, finishing with career highs in goals (23), assists (59), and points (82), and led the team in scoring. He finished runner-up for the Norris Trophy, given to the best NHL defenseman.

The Jackets finished two points shy of making the Stanley Cup Playoffs this past season, even while missing key players from the lineup like Boone Jenner and Sean Monahan for parts of the season. General Manager Don Waddell brought back two key pieces to the Jackets’ blue line by re-signing Dante Fabbro and Ivan Provorov. If the team can stay healthy, Werenski is confident they will bea playoff-caliber team.

“I think we have a team that’s a playoffs team,” said Werenski. “We’re excited to get back there and hopefully make the playoffs for our fans and our organization.”

The CBJ opens the season on the road in Nashville on October 9. Their home-opener is slated for October 13 against divisional rival New Jersey Devils.