Werenski ready to enjoy full All-Star Game experience

The first time Zach Werenski was named an NHL All-Star, it was a whirlwind.
Originally, his teammate and defensive partner Seth Jones was selected to represent the Blue Jackets at the 2018 version of the game in Tampa, but Jones fell ill in the hours before the event.

Werenski, then, didn't find out until the Blue Jackets arrived early Friday morning in Columbus from a late-night flight that he had to re-pack his bags and head to the Gulf Coast for the game two days later.
Things will be different this time around, though, as Werenski has been chosen as the Blue Jackets' representative for the 2022 All-Star Weekend, which will take place Feb. 4-5 in Las Vegas.

"The first time I went, it all happened so quick," Werenski said. "I didn't have the time to process everything. I think this time around, I'm looking forward to being there the whole weekend. Obviously I can plan ahead this time. The whole family is going to be there, my brother, things like that. Just taking it all in, whatever skills competition thing I have to do and then taking it into the game, just enjoying it and being more in the moment.
"Like I said, last time it all happened so quickly, I don't even really remember it. I'm kind of looking forward to that side of it."
Not only will Werenski have a chance to enjoy the weekend this time around, he also might want to get used to being a part of it. Now in his sixth NHL season, the 24-year-old defenseman is coming into his own as one of the best blueliners in the league and a cornerstone of the Blue Jackets franchise.
Signed to a six-year contract extension this offseason that makes him one of the top paid defensemen in the league, Werenski is now the unquestioned No. 1 on the back end for Columbus. As such, he's third in the NHL with 26:18 played per game and a key part of the team in every situation on the ice and off of it.
"I mean with Z, he just seems to be getting better," head coach Brad Larsen said. "I think his best years are ahead of him to be honest with you. I think we're kind of scratching the surface with him. He's such a quality person, No. 1. He's always been a respectful kid, puts the work in. He's always trying to get better -- going out early, staying after practice, doing the right things in the gym. He challenged himself this summer to get in better shape, and he did. He's now wearing a letter, so all these things, you're seeing the progressions with him.
"I'm thrilled for him. He's deserving for sure for the amount of ice time he has for us and what we're asking from him. It's a great opportunity to show his skill set at the All-Star Game."
One of the top offensive defenseman since his arrival in the league, Werenski is already the franchise's all-time leader in goals by blueliners and ninth in points with 210. The No. 8 overall pick at the 2015 NHL Draft, Werenski has totaled 71-139-210 in 367 career NHL contests and ranks tied for fifth among NHL defensemen in goals and 18th in points since making his debut in 2016-17.

This year has been a new experience, though, for Werenski, who knew with the offseason trade of longtime defensive parner Jones and the new contract that he'd be in a different level of spotlight this season. That was driven home just before the season started when Werenski was chosen as one of three new alternate captains for the Blue Jackets, including the only player who would wear the "A" in every game in support of new captain Boone Jenner.
To this point in the season, he's been good, but Werenski also says he knows he can do more. He has six goals and 15 assists in 34 games, still putting him among the top scoring defensemen in the league. Among defensemen who have played in at least 30 games, the Michigan native is fourth in the NHL in individual expected goals at 5-on-5.
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The biggest adjustment simply has been learning how to handle all the ice time -- he's topped 30 minutes twice this year and skated more than five miles in one game earlier this season -- but Werenski thinks that's coming along as he goes.
"I think it's been a learning experience for me," he said. "I think early on things were going pretty good for our group and then we hit a rough patch, myself included. I don't think I was playing the best hockey there for a few weeks. I think as of late I've started to figure it out, how I have to play, how to manage the minutes, when to jump up in the play.
"It seems like I'm starting to put it together right now and it's been a lot of fun. I think new challenges are always exciting, and that's what I try to do with this one is come to the rink every day and learn and have fun with it."
The best news, too, is that there's still another level that he can reach. Given the complexities of the position and how much experience can make a difference, defensemen in the NHL often get better with age. There's still a lot of good hockey in Werenski and room to grow because of that.
At the same time, don't get it confused. In the words of Larsen, Werenski is already one of the best, and the NHL certainly agrees as he heads to his second All-Star Game.
"He's an elite defenseman, period, in the NHL," Larsen said, "not just on our team but within the league."