Blue Jackets’ Werenski explains the decision to join Team USA for the World Championships – Hockey Writer – Columbus Blue Jacket

Zach Werenski’s summers are very busy. In addition to the usual things to prepare for next season, he also prepares for one of the most important days of his life.

Werenski is about to get married. The same goes for his two best friends.

On Blue Jackets’ exit interview day, Werenski said he would not play for Team USA at the World Championships. Given that he’s been playing all season with everything coming on the plate, no one will blame him.

But once the fatigue starts to subside, Werenski feels he needs to be there. After taking care of some business, he decided to join the US team

Werenski explains his decision

For Werenski, the decision to play football at the World Championship boils down to a basic thing. Even if his decision was late, it was another chance to put on the jersey.

“I like playing for American hockey,” Velensky said. “I think it’s the funniest hockey you can play. You’re not doing anything other than the jersey you’re wearing. I did a great experience. I did the last few finishes. I think this year is important to me and for me, I can do a lot of games here.

Werenski goes a step further, saying he wants to be with the guys who embrace Americans.

“I feel like I’m playing in the World Championships last year, playing in four countries, and in both events I’ve had a lot of fun, putting on my jerseys and being around the people who really embrace the United States. It’s hard to say no for me at the beginning. At the beginning, my summer was hard to be here, I’ve been here for 3.5 weeks, I’m going home, but I’ve been there in a few things at the beginning, I’ve been there for some things I’ve been there for some things I’ve been there for.”

Werenski and the team prepare to set off. However, he said his equipment has not arrived yet. That’s why he didn’t play in a 3-0 loss to Switzerland on Monday. Assuming his equipment arrives on time, he is expected to play against Norway’s roster on Wednesday.

Werenski will be one of the veterans of this version of Team USA, noting that if not one of the youngest teams in the field. He looks forward to playing with players like Cutter Gauthier, Will Smith and Frank Nazar and has a success in this match.

Werenski said that to take the U.S. team to take the next step and build momentum that emerges from the four-national standoff, they need to win medals in this competition.

“I want to see us succeed in a game like this. The United States has hardly won this game. We don’t often win medals at this World Championship. I feel like this is what we have to do consistently is every year at the end of the season, if you’re not in the playoffs, then you shouldn’t be injured here, or you don’t want to be here consistently here and gradually build a consistent man here and always be a consistent person at the American level. And the World Cup and the Olympics.”

“I think there’s only this experience, just love it, embracing the meaning of being an American, smearing the jersey, and I feel that’s the standard we need to set, especially as older people,” Werenski said. “I’m not that old, but being someone who’s been in this league for several years, I feel like we’re going to be in these games and start building that thing and start always getting medals at the level of men.”

Werenski and the USA team hope their efforts at the World Championships are the consistent start of the program, especially at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.