COLUMBUS, Ohio — Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski has already had quite an international career.
He’s suited up for Team USA at the World Junior Championships, the Men’s World Championships and the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament that took place in February.
At the team’s media luncheon on Monday, Werenski was asked about trying to represent the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, which start on Feb. 6.
“Not going to sugarcoat it, but I’m going to be thinking about it every day all year,” Werenski said.
These Olympics will be the first since the 2014 Games in Sochi, Russia, where National Hockey League players are allowed to play. Werenski didn’t get drafted into the NHL until 2015, so this will be his first opportunity to try and earn a spot on Team USA.
Six players have already been named to the U.S. Olympic Team for the 2026 Games: Golden Knights center Jack Eichel, Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews, Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes, Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy and the Tkachuk brothers — Senators forward Brady Tkachuk and Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk.
The final roster spots are expected to be announced before early January 2026.
That means Werenski will spend the next few months thinking about the opportunity to represent his country on hockey’s biggest international stage.
“I think for me, it’s one of those things where if I am thinking about it and I am playing well enough to make that team, ultimately I’m helping the team here in Columbus,” Werenski said. “That’s my main goal is to do my job here. But at the end of the day, you only get so many cracks at an Olympics. It’s my first chance since I’ve been in the league to play in an Olympic tournament and definitely not taking it for granted.
“Obviously, I want to do my best here in Columbus for team reasons, and then usually when that stuff works itself out, you end up having individual success. And, yeah, that’s my goal. Obviously. I want to be on that team, and it’d be a huge honor. I think it’d be one of the greatest honors you could have to represent your country at the Olympics.”
Werenski is coming off a career season for the Blue Jackets in 2024-25 with career highs in goals (23), assists (59) and points (82). He finished second in voting for the Norris Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s top defenseman, behind Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche.
Werenski had six assists in four games for Team USA at the 4 Nations, helping them reach the final before losing to Canada in the championship game.
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