FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: APRIL 20, 2017

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS DEFENSEMAN NAMED A FINALIST FOR Werenski joins Toronto’s and Winnipeg’s Patrik Laine as finalists for top rookie award

COLUMBUS, OHIO --- defenseman Zach Werenski is among three finalists for the Calder Memorial Trophy, given annually to the ’s most outstanding rookie as voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association, the club and NHL announced tonight. Center Auston Matthews of the and right wing Patrik Laine of the are the other two finalists.

Werenski, 19, led all rookie NHL defensemen in scoring with 11 goals and 36 assists for 47 points with 14 minutes and a +17 plus/minus rating in 78 games this season. His point total also stood seventh in overall rookie scoring, was 13th among all NHL defensemen, set a franchise record for points by a rookie and was the second-highest total by a blueliner in club history (51-James Wisniewski, 2013-14). Historically, he tallied the sixth-most points by a teenage rookie defenseman in NHL history.

Columbus’ first pick, eighth overall, in the 2015 NHL Draft, Werenski played two seasons at the University of Michigan from 2014-16 before joining the Lake Erie Monsters, the Blue Jackets’ American League affiliate, in April 2016. He tallied 5-9-14 in 17 playoff games, recording the most assists and points by an 18-year-old in the history of the Playoffs. He finished second among AHL defensemen in playoff scoring to help the Monsters capture the Calder Cup championship.

Werenski is the third player in Blue Jackets history to be named a Calder Memorial Trophy finalist, joining and forward . Mason won the award following the 2008-09 season, while Nash was a finalist along with Detroit’s in 2002-03 when St. Louis defenseman was selected the winner.

The 2017 NHL Awards and NHL Expansion Draft will celebrate the League’s top talent from the 2016-17 season and reveal the initial roster of the League’s 31st team, the , on Wednesday, June 21, at T-Mobile Arena. The event will be televised live in the United States on NBCSN at 8 p.m. ET.

The Blue Jackets and face off in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series tonight at PPG Paints Arena. Game time is 7 p.m. ET. Live coverage on FOX Sports Ohio begins with the Blue Jackets Live pre-game show at 6:30 p.m. The game will also be broadcast live on the Eldorado Scioto Downs Blue Jackets Radio Network, 97.1 The Fan FM, and online at BlueJackets.com.

‐ CBJ ‐

Contacts: Todd Sharrock, Vice President of Communications & Team Services – 614/246‐4157 or [email protected] Glenn Odebralski, Manager of Communications – 614/246‐0288 or [email protected]