Union and Blue
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Zach Werenski to compete in All-Star Skills Competition

By Savannah Deuer

COLUMBUS, OH - DECEMBER 09: Zach Werenski #8 of the Columbus Blue Jackets controls the puck during the game against the Anaheim Ducks at Nationwide Arena on December 9, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. Anaheim defeated Columbus 2-1 in a shootout. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - DECEMBER 09: Zach Werenski #8 of the Columbus Blue Jackets controls the puck during the game against the Anaheim Ducks at Nationwide Arena on December 9, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. Anaheim defeated Columbus 2-1 in a shootout. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /
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We’ve made it to one of the most exciting events in the NHL Season: The All-Star Skills Competition. This is one of my favorite events across the sports landscape, and the added flare of the competition taking place in Vegas truly makes this an irresistible event.

Each team has at least one player competing in this year’s event, and the Columbus Blue Jackets will have their finest defensemen representing the Union Blue, Zach Werenski.

COLUMBUS, OH – DECEMBER 09: Zach Werenski #8 of the Columbus Blue Jackets controls the puck during the game against the Anaheim Ducks at Nationwide Arena on December 9, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. Anaheim defeated Columbus 2-1 in a shootout. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – DECEMBER 09: Zach Werenski #8 of the Columbus Blue Jackets controls the puck during the game against the Anaheim Ducks at Nationwide Arena on December 9, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. Anaheim defeated Columbus 2-1 in a shootout. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

This is Werenski’s second All-Star Game, he last represented Columbus in 2018 when the game was held in Tampa Bay. The Michigan native is truly an outstanding representative of the Blue Jackets, and he’ll be competing in an intriguing event that’s new to the Skills Challenge: The Fountain Face-Off.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MAY 31: Visitors are silhouetted as they watch The Fountains of Bellagio on May 31, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Clark County is dropping all pandemic mandates as its COVID-19 mitigation plan expires at midnight on June 1, meaning businesses may operate at 100 percent capacity with no physical distancing restrictions. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MAY 31: Visitors are silhouetted as they watch The Fountains of Bellagio on May 31, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Clark County is dropping all pandemic mandates as its COVID-19 mitigation plan expires at midnight on June 1, meaning businesses may operate at 100 percent capacity with no physical distancing restrictions. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

There’s never been an event quite like this one: players will travel by boat out to a rink set up in the center of the Fountains at Bellagio, one of Las Vegas’ most famous landmarks. The players will then have to shoot five pucks at five different targets as quickly as possible. There’s also going to be fountain spray in the final to make the competition more difficult. I personally could not be more excited for this event, playing on such an established and well-loved aspect of the city is a great way to pay homage to Vegas.

The All-Star Skills Competition is tonight at 7:30 PM, live from Las Vegas, Nevada. The All-Star Game will take place on Saturday at 3 PM.

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