Zach Werenski joined the Blue Jackets for a morning skate Feb. 26 in Boston. Afterward, still wearing Team USA Olympics garb, he talked about winning a gold medal at Milano Cortina 2026 and addressed his team’s laughter after President Donald Trump made a disparaging comment about the gold medalist U.S. women’s team during a postgame phone call.
More: Zach Werenski discusses honoring Johnny Gaudreau after winning gold
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“Incredible group of women,” Werenski said, according to The Athletic. “We got to know them extremely well in the village. No one was bigger supporters of them than us.
“I remember I was at dinner for their gold medal game. I was glued to my phone watching it. Obviously, it’s not a great moment (laughing at Trump’s joke). It doesn’t look great, so I understand that, but, you know, I think deep down they know how we feel about them and how much support we have for them. Just incredible people, incredible hockey players, and they’ve done so much for the game of hockey.”
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See Zach Werenski, other men’s hockey stars at Trump’s State of the Union
The U.S. men’s Olympic ice hockey team with Matthew Tkachuk and Connor Hellebuyck in front applaud during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the Capitol on February 24, 2026 in Washington, DC. Trump delivered his address days after the Supreme Court struck down the administration’s tariff strategy, and amid a U.S. military buildup in the Persian Gulf threatening Iran.
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See Zach Werenski, other men’s hockey stars at Trump’s State of the Union
The U.S. men’s Olympic ice hockey team with Matthew Tkachuk and Connor Hellebuyck in front applaud during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the Capitol on February 24, 2026 in Washington, DC. Trump delivered his address days after the Supreme Court struck down the administration’s tariff strategy, and amid a U.S. military buildup in the Persian Gulf threatening Iran.
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See Zach Werenski, other men’s hockey stars at Trump’s State of the Union
The U.S. men’s Olympic ice hockey team with Jack Hughes and Quinn Hughes at the front arrive for President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the Capitol on February 24, 2026 in Washington, DC. Behind him are Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA). Trump delivered his address days after the Supreme Court struck down the administration’s tariff strategy, and amid a U.S. military buildup in the Persian Gulf threatening Iran.
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See Zach Werenski, other men’s hockey stars at Trump’s State of the Union
Members of the Team USA Men’s Hockey Team wave to the audience as U.S. President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address during a Joint Session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol on February 24, 2026, in Washington, DC. Trump delivered his address days after the Supreme Court struck down the administration’s tariff strategy and amid a U.S. military buildup in the Persian Gulf threatening Iran.
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See Zach Werenski, other men’s hockey stars at Trump’s State of the Union
The U.S. men’s Olympic ice hockey team with Connor Hellebuyck in front attend President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the Capitol on February 24, 2026 in Washington, DC. Trump delivered his address days after the Supreme Court struck down the administration’s tariff strategy, and amid a U.S. military buildup in the Persian Gulf threatening Iran.
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See Zach Werenski, other men’s hockey stars at Trump’s State of the Union
The U.S. men’s Olympic ice hockey team with Matthew Tkachuk and Connor Hellebuyck in front attend President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the Capitol on February 24, 2026 in Washington, DC. Behind him are Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA). Trump delivered his address days after the Supreme Court struck down the administration’s tariff strategy, and amid a U.S. military buildup in the Persian Gulf threatening Iran.
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See Zach Werenski, other men’s hockey stars at Trump’s State of the Union
Connor Hellebuyck, member of the U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team, holds up his gold medal.
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See Zach Werenski, other men’s hockey stars at Trump’s State of the Union
Members of the Team USA men’s hockey team wave to the audience as Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address.
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See Zach Werenski, other men’s hockey stars at Trump’s State of the Union
Members of the U.S. men’s hockey team wave to the audience as U.S. President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address.
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See Zach Werenski, other men’s hockey stars at Trump’s State of the Union
Members of the U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team applaud as their teammate Connor Hellebuyck puts his hand to his heart.
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See Zach Werenski, other men’s hockey stars at Trump’s State of the Union
Members of the U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team that won the gold medal, Jack Hughes and Quinn Hughes, pose with their medals.
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See Zach Werenski, other men’s hockey stars at Trump’s State of the Union
Members of the U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team that won the gold medal cheer during the State of the Union address.
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See Zach Werenski, other men’s hockey stars at Trump’s State of the Union
Members of the Team USA men’s hockey team walk through the media room before Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address.
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See Zach Werenski, other men’s hockey stars at Trump’s State of the Union
Members of the Team USA men’s hockey team walk through the media room before Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address.
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See Zach Werenski, other men’s hockey stars at Trump’s State of the Union
Charlie McAvoy arrives for Donald Trump’s State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
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See Zach Werenski, other men’s hockey stars at Trump’s State of the Union
Members of the U.S. Olympic gold medal men’s hockey team wait backstage ahead of the State of the Union address.
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See Zach Werenski, other men’s hockey stars at Trump’s State of the Union
Members of the U.S. Olympic gold medal men’s hockey team go through security ahead of an appearance at the State of the Union address.
Werenski didn’t stop there.
“There are going to be so many girls out there who play that want to be Megan Keller and Caroline Harvey,” Werenski said. “They’ve changed the sport of hockey, and I couldn’t be more supportive of them. Like I said, obviously, it looks bad in the moment. Didn’t mean anything by that. It was just a celebration in that call. It was kind of a whirlwind, but they’re incredible and we have nothing but the utmost respect for them and support.”
Werenski said he hasn’t reached out to any members of the U.S. women’s team, saying other members of the U.S. men’s team have spoken with members of the women’s team.
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“I just apologize for the way it looks,” Werenski said, “but I think deep down they know how much support we have for them.”
Werenski also spoke about his role in setting up Jack Hughes’ winning goal in overtime to defeat Canada 2-1 in a moment that captured attention across the nation.
MIAMI, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 23: Zach Werenski attends a celebration of the USA Men’s Hockey Team’s Olympic Gold at E11EVEN Miami on February 23, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for E11EVEN Miami)
“There’s going to be hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of kids that want to be Jack Hughes,” Werenski said, according to Blue Jackets team reporter Jeff Svoboda. “I guess someone has to be the one that passes it to him.”
Blue Jackets reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com and @BrianHedger.bsky.social
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Blue Jackets’ Zach Werenski addresses Trump’s women’s hockey comment