The Columbus Blue Jackets and NHL announced Thursday that defenseman Zach Werenski has been named to the NHL’s First All-Star Team and defenseman Denton Mateychuk has been selected to the NHL’s All-Rookie Team. Voting was conducted by the Professional Hockey Writers Association at the end of the regular season.

Werenski becomes the second skater – and fourth player – in Blue Jackets history to be named to an All-Star Team, joining goaltender Steve Mason (Second Team in 2008-09), goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (First Team in 2012-13 and 2016-17) and defenseman Seth Jones (Second Team in 2017-18).

Mateychuk is the fourth skater – and sixth player – in franchise history to be named to the NHL’s All-Rookie Team, joining defenseman Rostislav Klesla (2001-02), forward Rick Nash (2002-03), Mason (2008-09), Werenski (2016-17) and goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (2019-20).

Werenski, 27, set Blue Jackets single-season franchise records for defensemen with 23 goals and 59 assists, 298 shots on goal on 26:45 average ice time in 81 games played in 2024-25.

He finished second in voting for the James Norris Torphy as the league’s top defenseman after leading the NHL in total ice time (2,166:22) and average ice time, while leading league blueliners in even strength goals (17), even strength points (tied, 54), and shots on goal. 

The Grosse Pointe, Michigan native is the Blue Jackets’ all-time leader in assists after surpassing Rick Nash with his 259th career helper on March 9 at the New York Rangers. He was originally selected by the Blue Jackets in the first-round, eighth overall, at the 2015 NHL Draft.

Mateychuk, 20, finished the 2024-25 season with 4-9-13 in 45 appearances with the Blue Jackets after making his NHL debut on December 23 vs. Montreal.  The 5-11, 185-pound defenseman ranked second among league rookie blueliners in even strength points (13) and tied for second in goals, assists, points, and plus/minus rating (+4).

He scored his first career NHL goal and multi-point effort (1-1-2) on January 9 vs. Seattle. He began the campaign with the American Hockey League’s Cleveland Monsters and recorded 9-16-25 in 27 contests. The Winnipeg, Manitoba native was selected by Columbus in the first-round, 12th overall, at the 2022 NHL Draft.