Zach Werenski has added another unforgettable golden moment to a collection that began with his assist on the winning goal to notch a gold medal for the United States a week ago.
More: Zach Werenski’s Olympic gold: A hero’s welcome home
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After defeating Canada 2-1 in overtime of the gold medal game Feb. 22 at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Werenski has partied like a rock star, toured the White House, attended the State of the Union, was honored before a Feb. 26 game in Boston and returned to find his yard redecorated by neighbors in red white and blue.
After all that, the Blue Jackets honored the star defenseman Feb. 28 at Nationwide Arena before playing the New York Islanders. Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins, who played for Latvia, and Islanders Olympians Bo Horvat (Canada) and Ondrej Palat (Czechia) were recognized for representing their nations before Werenski was announced to a standing ovation.
Standing on the Blue Jackets’ bench prior to the national anthem, he waved to the crowd while highlighted by a spotlight. Prior to the game, his gold medal and Team USA jersey were displayed for fans on the main concourse for an hour.
Werenski was asked at the Jackets’ morning skate about getting the kind of warm welcome from Blue Jackets fans that New Jersey Devils fans gave Hughes on Feb. 26 in Newark, New Jersey, and he cracked a smile.
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“Yeah, well, I won’t get the Hughes one,” Werenski said. “He’s the golden goal scorer, so I’m sure that’s a bit crazier. But it’s special. Even being in Boston the other night, it was great of them to show me (on the video board). It felt cool to be a part of that and hear the ‘U-S-A!’ chants. I heard the ‘Johnny Hockey!’ chant there too.”
Two days later, each of those chants filled Werenski’s home arena.
“I think you really realize when you play for USA Hockey, all these different (NHL) fan bases and all these different people, they’re only supporting one team (in the Olympics), and to be on that team is super special,” he said. “I’m sure tonight’s reception is going to be loud, it’s going to be incredible and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Blue Jackets reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com and @BrianHedger.bsky.social
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Zach Werenski gets standing ovation from Columbus Blue Jackets fans
