Jul 29, 2021 / 10:18 PM EDT
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski, left, controls the puck in front of Dallas Stars forward Jason Dickinson during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Columbus, Ohio, Sunday, March 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)
The Columbus Blue Jackets signed defenseman Zach Werenski to a six-year, $57.5 million contract extension.
Werenski, 24, has registered 65 goals, 124 assists and a +13 plus/minus rating in 335 NHL games.
Since making his debut with Columbus in 2016, Werenski ranks tied for third among NHL blueliners in goals and 19th in points. He is the club’s all-time leader in goals by a defenseman, while ranking second in points and fourth in assists.
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Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images
The New Jersey Devils kept the fourth overall pick and did what many expected. They drafted United States National Team Development Program defenseman Luke Hughes. They picked the younger brother of budding star defenseman, Quinn, and the budding star center, fellow New Jersey Devil, and The Big Deal, Jack. The New Jersey Devils organization now has two-thirds of the Hughes brothers.
General Manager Tom Fitzgerald announced the pick at the Devils’ Draft Party at the Rock. While the mic cut out, the crowd was elated when they heard “United Stated Developmental.” The ESPN2 broadcast cut to the live reaction at the Hughes’ household and Jack bear-hugged his brother and seemed more excited than even Luke was at the pick. I would like to think a lot of Devils are happy that Jack is happy and that the Devils selected a defenseman.
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