Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski has won the Norris Trophy, awarded each year to the NHL’s top defenseman.
Werenski is the first Blue Jackets player and the sixth American to receive the honor. He earned 113 first-place votes, finishing ahead of Colorado’s Cale Makar, who received 47.
Werenski, 28, became the 10th defenseman in NHL history to lead his team in points in consecutive seasons. He tied the franchise record for assists with 59 and finished the season with 22 goals and 81 points.
He also helped Team USA win Olympic gold in men’s hockey for the first time since 1980. Werenski recorded an assist on the game-winning goal in a 2-1 overtime victory over Canada.
Last year, Werenski finished second to Makar in Norris Trophy voting. He is now the seventh Blue Jackets player to win a major NHL award, joining Rick Nash, Steve Mason, Sergei Bobrovsky, Nick Foligno, John Tortorella and Sean Monahan.