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Zach Werenski Breaks Columbus Blue Jacket Rookie Scoring Record

By Lansing Murphy

Mar 2, 2017; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) shoots against the Minnesota Wild during the second period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2017; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) shoots against the Minnesota Wild during the second period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports /
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We’ve all become accustom to forgetting that Zack Werenski went to that school up north. It keeps getting easier, as he becomes the Columbus Blue Jackets highest scoring rookie ever.

In the 4-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres, rookie defenseman Zach Werenski recorded his 40th point, breaking Rick Nash’s franchise rookie scoring record. The stud d-man for the Columbus Blue Jackets is now the only defenseman to hold a franchise rookie scoring record.

Fittingly, the 19-year-old racked up his 40th point on the power play that he has guided all year. A calm presence at the point, Werenski reversed the puck a few times before finding Alexander Wennberg who found Nick Foligno for the score.

The 8th overall pick in the 2015 draft has turned into everything the Jackets could have expected and more. With 40 points in 66 games, Werenski is11th in league in scoring for a defensemen. He will surely crack 50 points this season and has a real shot at cracking the top five in defenseman and overall rookie scoring.

Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus Blue Jackets /

Columbus Blue Jackets

Paging NHL, Werenski for Calder Trophy

We get it, both Patrik Laine and Auston Matthews are having incredible seasons. Laine has 59 points even after missing several games due to injury. Auston Matthews is guiding the youngest team in the league into playoff position. He is doing so in the toughest environment in the hockey world.

But playing top pair defense is incredibly difficult and throw on top his duties as the QB of the Power Play, Werenski is playing the most important role on the Blue Jackets besides Bob. The youngster is averaging 21 minutes of ice time and hasn’t missed a game yet this year. The role Zach is playing is much more important, and challenging, than the other two phenomenal rookies.

If Weresnki doesn’t finish third in the Calder Trophy race, it will be a travesty and a massive insult to both Zach and the club. The fact that there is more chatter of Mitch Marner’s season than Werenski’s is ludicrous and the NHL media north of the border needs to defrost their dull minds. A few first place votes at minimum should go to Werenski.

So congrats to Zach on the incredible season he is having. Many more Columbus Blue Jacket records are set to fall, and many because of Werenski.

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