Zach Werenski Wins 2025-26 Norris Trophy With 1,589 Points

3 articles · Updated · prohockeyrumors.com · Jun 2

113 first-place votes powered Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski to the 2025-26 Norris Trophy, with top-five placement on 194 of 198 Professional Hockey Writers Association ballots.
Werenski earned the award after posting 22 goals and 81 points in 75 games, leading Columbus in assists, points and points-per-game while finishing third on the team in goals.
Cale Makar finished second as the only other defenseman above 1,000 voting points, while Rasmus Dahlin placed third with 13 first-place votes and 657 points.
At 28, Werenski became the sixth American to win the Norris and the 10th defenseman in NHL history to lead his team in scoring in consecutive seasons after an 82-point 2024-25 campaign.
The honor makes Werenski the seventh player in Blue Jackets history to win a major NHL award, adding to a franchise list that includes Rick Nash, Sergei Bobrovsky and Sean Monahan.

Sources

Did voters award the Norris to the best defenseman or simply the most valuable one?

How will this win on a non-playoff team redefine the criteria for future Norris Trophy contenders?