Photo by Michael Caples/MiHockey

Zach Werenski talks about playing a NHL game at The Joe

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

 

By @MichaelCaples –

DETROIT – It’s going to be an emotional night for Zach Werenski.

It’s a time of sadness and a time of celebration for the 19-year-old defenseman, who lost his grandfather this week as he prepares to play his first game at his hometown Joe Louis Arena as a professional hockey player.

With his Columbus Blue Jackets not holding a morning skate at The Joe prior to tonight’s contest with the Red Wings, the Grosse Pointe native met with the media at 5 p.m. to talk about his Friday night contest against his hometown team.

“I’m really excited, obviously…I’ve had this date circled for a while,” Werenski said. “When our schedule came out, it’s the first thing I looked at, just playing at The Joe. I’ve always dreamed of playing here. Tonight, to be able to finally play here is unbelievable.”

The former Belle Tire, USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program and University of Michigan star defenseman arrives at The Joe with plenty of fanfare. He was named the NHL’s Rookie of the Month for November, and he has 17 points in 24 games for the red-hot Blue Jackets club.

When asked what aspect of playing at The Joe as a pro excited him most, Werenski couldn’t put a finger on the single greatest highlight.

“I think all of it’s pretty exciting. I’ve got a lot of family and friends here, I’m playing against a good buddy of mine,” Werenski said. “It’s my hometown team that I’ve always grown up watching. This whole thing, it’s going to be pretty cool.”

That buddy is Red Wings star Dylan Larkin – Werenski knows him quite well. The two were standouts for Belle Tire youth teams growing up before playing with each other at the University of Michigan and sharing a dorm room in Ann Arbor.

“I guess I’m going to have to try and shut him down,” Werenski said. “His speed is unbelievable, so for me, it’s going out there with the mentality that he’s going to be flying around like he always did. Playing with him for the number of years that I did, I never really had a chance to go up against him in a game, so tonight, it’s going to be a little different to be on the other side of the bench from him.”

When asked if he was more excited or nervous to play against one of his closest friends, Werenski opted for the former.

“Yeah, I think it will be fun. I’m a little bit nervous just because it’s my first time here. He’s played a few more games in this building than I have, but for me, it’s going to be fun I think – mostly.”

As far as family and friends in the stands for tonight’s game, Werenski said there will be quite a few. However, that didn’t mean much work for him. Larkin set up four tickets for Werenski to utilize, and the rest of his support system found their own ways into the game.

“He left me a few; a lot of my friends and family have seasons tickets, just because everyone is such big Wings fans around here,” Werenski said. “I didn’t have to leave any for anybody, except for the four that Larkin got me. I would guess close to a hundred people.”