Presenters

Werenski was named to the United States roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off during a 2024-2025 season when he blossomed into one of the top defensemen in the NHL, leading the Columbus Blue Jackets in scoring after 55 games with a new single-season Blue Jackets record at his position of 59 points. The prior season, his 46 assists passed James Wisniewski's team record by a defenseman of 44 set in 2013-2014. He then had two assists to pass Rick Nash for the most in Blue Jackets history (260) during a 7-3 win at the New York Rangers on March 9. Werenski was named a finalist for the 2025 Norris Trophy.

After scoring 25 points (nine goals, 16 assists) in 35 games as a freshman at the University of Michigan, Werenski was selected by the Blue Jackets with the No. 8 pick in the 2015 NHL Draft. He followed that with 36 points (11 goals, 25 assists) in 36 games as a sophomore, earning All-Big Ten First Team honors again, and was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Soon after finishing his sophomore season at Michigan, Werenski signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Blue Jackets on March 29, 2016.

On the international stage, Werenski represented the United States at the IIHF World Junior Championship twice and was team captain when it finished third in 2016.He has also represented Team USA at the IIHF World Championships in 2019 and 2024, and again in 2025 when the U.S. won the gold medal.