Zach Werenski Wins Norris Trophy for First Time

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski has won the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s best defenseman for the first time in his career. The award, voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association, was announced Tuesday.

Werenski, 28, ranked second among NHL defensemen with 81 points, scoring 22 goals and adding 59 assists in 75 games. He led all defensemen with 260 shots on goal and ranked second among all NHL skaters in average ice time, logging 26 minutes and 37 seconds per game. He also led the Blue Jackets in scoring for the second consecutive season, becoming the 10th defenseman in NHL history to pace his team in points.

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, the 2025 winner, finished second in the voting. Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin finished third, and Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard, who led all defensemen with 95 points, finished fourth. Werenski received first-place votes on 113 of 198 ballots.

The honor caps a remarkable return to form for Werenski, whose 2022-23 season was limited to just 13 games due to a shoulder injury. Since then, he has recorded a point-per-game pace in each of the past two seasons, a first in his career....