What a year for Zach Werenski.
The Columbus Blue Jackets star defenseman, just a few months after winning a gold medal with Team USA at the Winter Olympics and just a few weeks after becoming a father for the first time, officially added the Norris Trophy to his 2026 resume Tuesday.
Werenski beat out Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche and Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres for the award, which is given annually to the league's top defenseman and recognizes the player with the greatest all-around ability at the position.
After finishing second place behind Makar last season, Werenski now becomes the first Blue Jacket to win the award.
Werenski found out Sunday, while surrounded by family at a cookout. A camera crew from NHL Productions and a writer from NHL.com had stopped by to do a Father's Day feature — or so Werenski thought.
Only Werenski's wife, Odette, and his brother, Brad, knew the real reason why they were there.
When he found out, Werenski seemed momentarily speechless. He confirmed that moments later.
"I'm at a loss for words, to be honest with you guys," Werenski said. "It's incredible."
"Thank you," he then said to his family.
Zach Werenski thought this was just a regular family BBQ, but he was in for quite a surprise!
— NHL (@NHL) June 2, 2026
His whole family was on hand to celebrate the first James Norris Memorial Trophy of his career! #NHLAwards pic.twitter.com/Rqr8iUP4Tp
Werenski scored 22 goals and added 59 assists for a total of 81 points in 75 games this season. His 26:37 of ice time per game was second in the NHL, and Werenski led all defensemen in multi-point games and was tied for the league-lead in even-strength goals amongst blueliners.
| Player | Points | (1st-2nd-3rd-4th-5th) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Zach Werenski, CBJ | 1,589 | (113-48-16-13-4) |
| 2. | Cale Makar, COL | 1,191 | (47-62-37-30-12) |
| 3. | Rasmus Dahlin, BUF | 657 | (13-23-50-30-26) |
| 4. | Evan Bouchard, EDM | 593 | (12-22-36-32-43) |
| 5. | Moritz Seider, DET | 360 | (5-21-15-21-25) |
| 6. | Lane Hutson, MTL | 357 | (3-13-20-31-43) |
| 7. | Quinn Hughes, MIN | 282 | (5-6-21-22-19) |
| 8. | Miro Heiskanen, DAL | 52 | (0-3-1-6-8) |
| 9. | Erik Karlsson, PIT | 16 | (0-0-1-3-2) |
| 10. | Jake Sanderson, OTT | 16 | (0-0-0-4-4) |
| 11. | Darren Raddysh, TBL | 14 | (0-0-1-2-3) |
| 12. | Matthew Schaefer, NYI | 14 | (0-0-0-3-5) |
| 13. | Charlie McAvoy, BOS | 6 | (0-0-0-1-3) |
| 14. | Adam Fox, NYR | 1 | (0-0-0-0-1) |
His 81 points bested Makar (20 goals, 59 assists for 79 points in 75 games) and Dahlin (19 goals, 55 assists for 74 points in 77 games).
A 28-year-old native of Grosse Point, Michigan, Werenski is the fifth U.S.-born defenseman in league history to record multiple 80-point campaigns. He's the third to accomplish the feat in consecutive seasons, joining Hall of Famers Phil Housley and Brian Leetch.
In addition to another point-a-game campaign, Werenski finished tied for 14th in even-strength points and 15th in multi-point efforts (26) amongst all positions. Amongst blueliners, Werenski led the league in multi-point efforts, even-strength goals (tied) and shots on goal, as well as finishing second in points, points-per-game (1.08) and even-strength points, tied for third in goals, and tied for fourth in assists.
The Norris was first presented in 1953-54 by the children of the late James Norris in memory of the former Detroit Red Wings owner-president. Nominees were voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association at the end of the regular season.
Werenski was considered the favorite to win the award by oddsmakers, including a -270 by FanDuel in recent days. He earned 113 of the 198 (57%) first-place votes and 1,589 total points.
Makar finished second with 1,191 and Dahlin third at 657 points. Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard, who led all defensemen in assists and points, finished close behind in fourth with 593 points.
