When you look at Zach Werenski's performance in his first year in the NHL, there's no surprise that he's one of three finalists for the NHL's Calder Memorial Trophy awarded to the league's most outstanding rookie.
"47 points for Zach Werenski in his rookie year," general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said. "You can look down in history at the list of names that come up when you compare those numbers, especially the way he played as a rookie, it's not easy to find those guys."
In 78 games, Werenski notched 11 goals and 36 assists, (11-36-47) and had 12 multi-point outings. That stat line led all Jackets defensemen in assists, points and multi-point games. It also was good enough to set a new franchise record for points and assists earned by a rookie and marked the second-most points scored by a defenseman in Blue Jackets history.
A 3-7-10 performance in the month of November earned Werenski NHL Rookie of the Month honors, and his point total marked the sixth-most points by a rookie teenage defenseman in NHL history.
Digging into the nomination: Zach Werenski
Analyzing Werenski's Calder Memorial Trophy nod
© Jamie Sabau/Getty Images
© Jamie Sabau/Getty Images