Exclusive Interview - Blue Jackets' Zach Werenski Embracing Expanded Leadership Role

With captain Boone Jenner out long term, how will Werenski and the other leaders step up?

The news is not good for Columbus Blue Jackets’ captain Boone Jenner. He had to leave practice on Friday after slamming into the boards. While the team hasn’t shared any specific timeframes or even what the nature of the injury is, the belief is that he will be out longer term.

As head coach Dean Evason has said, the Blue Jackets have to try to turn a negative into a positive. Jenner’s absence will present opportunity for players to step up in bigger roles. It will also present an opportunity for the leaders to step up.

Zach Werenski wants to take things even a step further.

Werenski Embracing Leadership

Coach Evason on Monday admitted that he had a recent one-on-one with Werenski. In that meeting, the coach wanted to push more leadership Werenski’s way.

“He wants that,” Evason said. “He wants to be the leader on our team. He wants that responsibility. He’s earned that responsibility and we’re going to give them that responsibility as well.”

With Jenner out of the lineup, Werenski is the longest-tenured Blue Jacket currently wearing a letter. He’s been a leader for some time. Now players are going to start looking to him for leadership especially when times get hard.

Werenski talked exclusively with The Hockey Writers on Tuesday and opened up about the evolution of his leadership and what he wants to do. He knew he needed to step up and ask for more responsibility given the overall circumstances on the Blue Jackets.

“I think for me to take the next step, I need that,” Werenski said. “I feel like even last year, I felt like I have more of a leadership role, more of a voice, and I think it elevates my play. For me to help this team and get us to where we want to go, I think we're all part of it in our own ways. For me, it's feeling like guys can lean on me in any situation.”