Columbus Blue Jackets players share Johnny Gaudreau memories
Zach Werenski, Sean Kuraly and Erik Gudbranson remember teammate Johnny Gaudreau during Columbus Blue Jackets meeting Sept. 4, 2024 at Nationwide Arena.
Zach Werenski has already put an impressive stamp on the NHL’s history books before he’s even finished playing for the United States at the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Werenski, 27, leads the tournament with five assists and is tied with Canadian captain Sidney Crosby for the scoring lead at five points each heading into a highly anticipated rematch between the U.S. and Canada in the championship Thursday in Boston.
After downing Canada 3-1 on Saturday at Bell Centre in Montreal, Werenski and the rest of the star packed U.S. roster will try to sweep their biggest rival by taking the tournament’s championship Thursday at TD Garden (8 p.m. ET, ESPN, ESPN+).
The first game began with three fights in the game’s first nine seconds, so buckle up for whatever happens next. As for Werenski, here are three things to know about his first midseason “best-on-best” experience:
Columbus Blue Jackets‘ Zach Werenski climbing ranks among United States defensemen during international tournament play
Just as he’s done all season for the Blue Jackets, Werenski is shining for the U.S. going into its rematch with Canada. After starting the tournament with three assists in a 6-1 victory over Finland, Werenski added assists in the win over Canada and a 2-1 loss to Sweden on Monday in Boston.
His five points, all on assists, didn’t just knot him with Crosby atop the tournament’s scoring leaders. They also entered his name into historical annals. Werenski’s assist Monday tied him with Derian Hatcher for second-most points by an American defenseman in a single NHL international tournament and he’s just two points from tying Brian Leetch for the top spot.
Hatcher and Leetch each set those marks while helping the U.S. defeat Canada twice to win the 1996 World Cup of Hockey for the first time. Hatcher had 3-2-5 in six games and Leetch had 0-7-7 in seven games.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski among all-time assist leaders for NHL international tournament
Werenski’s five assists in his first three games at the 4 Nations Face-Off also put him into exclusive NHL territory in terms of assists among all players regardless of position.
According to the NHL, he’s just the fifth player to compile that many assists in a single league-hosted international tournament while playing four or fewer games.
With one game left, Werenski trails only Sweden’s Peter Forsberg (seven assists at the 1996 World Cup), Canada’s Gilbert Perreault (six assists at the 1981 Canada Cup), Sweden’s Daniel Alfredsson (six assists at the 2004 World Cup) and Sweden’s Calle Johansson (six assists at the 1996 World Cup). Werenski is also the first defenseman to collect five assists in a single NHL international tournament since Finnish defenseman Kimmo Timonen finished with 1-5-6 in six games during the 2004 World Cup of Hockey.
Alexei Kasatonov holds the all-time mark with 10 assists for the former Soviet Union during the 1981 Canada Cup.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski likely securing U.S. roster spot for 2026 Winter Olympics
The 4 Nations Face-Off is the first time NHL players are allowed to play “best-on-best” international games since the league hosted the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
They can also play in the IIHF’s men’s world championships each spring in European locations, but many elite players are busy during that timeframe playing for NHL teams in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. As they’ve shown thus far in the first 4 Nations tournament, it means a lot for players to represent their home countries.
While bragging rights are the main thing on the line in this tournament, the 4 Nations rosters will likely resemble those constructed by the U.S., Canada, Finland and Sweden for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy. Should that be the case, Werenski’s performance at the 4 Nations tournament should go a long way to securing him an Olympic invite for the U.S. next year.
The NHL has also announced it will co-host the 2028 World Cup of Hockey along with the NHL Players’ Association, which will be the fourth tournament of its kind. Werenski will still be in his prime NHL years for that one at age 30.
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