Photo by Michael Caples/MiHockey

Zach Werenski talks NHL Prospect Tournament, upcoming training camp with Blue Jackets

Photo by Michael Caples/MiHockey
Photo by Michael Caples/MiHockey

 

By @MichaelCaples –

TRAVERSE CITY – It may have been his first NHL Prospect Tournament experience, but it didn’t keep the Columbus Blue Jackets from slapping the ‘C’ onto Zach Werenski’s chest.

The Grosse Pointe native – set to embark on his first professional hockey season after two seasons with the University of Michigan – was the player selected to lead the Blue Jackets’ roster of prospects in competition with seven other NHL clubs.

The Jackets’ first-round pick from 2015 excelled in his playoff call-up to the Lake Erie Monsters last spring, helping Columbus’ AHL affiliate win a league title.

Judging by his reaction to the Jackets’ loss against the Red Wings in the first game of the NHL Prospect Tournament, he’s focused on the present, not the past.

“Not great,” he told MiHockey when asked about his team’s first game – a 6-4 loss to the host team. “It was our first game of the year. I think that’s the best way to put it. A few bumps in the road. I think we did some good things at times, some other times it wasn’t so good. I’ve got to stay out of the box, capitalize on our chances, but I thought it was OK for our first game.”

Photo by Michael Caples/MiHockey
Photo by Michael Caples/MiHockey

Since NCAA athletes are not allowed to participate in the NHL Prospect Tournament, this was Werenski’s first taste of the annual event in Traverse City.

“Definitely – I was looking forward to it,” the National Team Development Program alum said.
“I’ve never been to Traverse City for this tournament. I’ve heard so much about it and just to get here and especially to play the Wings’ prospects was pretty cool.”

It was the first time for Werenski to compete against a team wearing the Winged Wheel, too.

“It was cool,” he said. “I grew up watching them, so just to see it on the ice for the first time, it was cool. I think it was everything I expected it to be.”

The 6-foot-2, 209-pound All-American is poised to be the next Michigan native appearing on a NHL roster, but Werenski knows he still needs to have a strong showing at the Blue Jackets’ training camp and in the preseason to lock up a spot.

“I’m excited, a little bit different,” he said of his first professional hockey fall experience. “A lot of games coming up, so I’ve got to be mentally ready for it, got to be physically ready, but I’m excited for it. Whether I’m in Columbus or Cleveland, I think it’ll be a good year. I think it’ll be a learning year for me, being a young guy going to pro hockey, I think I’ll learn a lot, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

 

He knows training camp will be a grueling test, but he’s looking forward to it.

“Definitely. It’s gonna be tough, but I’m looking forward to it, get to Columbus, get out there with the guys and try to push for a spot.”

And yes, he does miss Ann Arbor and his old teammates with the University of Michigan.

“Yeah, I miss the guys over there, but you’ve gotta do what you’ve gotta do.”

Photo by Michael Caples/MiHockey
Photo by Michael Caples/MiHockey