Blue Jackets’ Zach Werenski out five to six months after surgery

Columbus-Blue-Jackets-defenceman-Zach-Werenski

Columbus Blue Jackets defenceman Zach Werenski (8) controls the puck in front of New Jersey Devils centre Nico Hischier. (Adam Hunger/AP)

Columbus Blue Jackets defenceman Zach Werenski will be sidelined for five to six months after successful shoulder surgery, the team announced Thursday.

Werenski is expected to be ready for the start of the 2018-19 season.

“Zach has been dealing with this injury since early in the season and while he was able to play through it, our medical team determined that surgery was the best option at this time,” general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said in a team statement. “The surgery went very well and the expectation is Zach will be ready to play by the start of the season or shortly thereafter.”

The 20-year-old blue-liner racked up 16 goals and 37 points in 77 games this season for Columbus. In six post-season contests, Werenski has a goal and two assists.

Drafted eighth overall by the Blue Jackets in 2015, the native of Grosse Pointe, Mich., was a finalist for the Calder Trophy in 2016-17 after a 47-point rookie campaign.

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