From TPH Roots to Norris Trophy Glory: Zach Werenski Reaches NHL Pinnacle

Zach Werenski has reached a new milestone in his NHL career, earning the 2026 James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s top all-around defenseman. 

Long before becoming a Norris Trophy winner, Werenski developed his game in Michigan, where he spent time working with Brandon Naurato, a former Total Package Hockey (TPH) partner at the Detroit campus in 2012.

Werenski has continued to speak highly of Naurato’s influence throughout his career.

“[Naurato is] the most knowledgeable guy I have ever met in hockey,” Werenski told The Athletic’s Tom Reed in 2018.

Werenski, an eighth-overall selection in the 2015 NHL Draft, has remained with the Columbus Blue Jackets throughout his decade-long career. During this time, he has established himself as not only one of the league’s most dynamic defensemen but also one of the most accomplished players in Blue Jackets history, ranking among the franchise’s all-time leaders in assists and points.

His Norris Trophy recognition follows a career-best season for Werenski, who recorded 22 goals and 59 assists for 81 points while averaging 26:37 of ice time per game. He finished second among NHL defensemen in scoring and tied for the league lead among defensemen with 18 even-strength goals.

His performance earned him the Norris Trophy over fellow finalists Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche and Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres, making him the first player in Blue Jackets franchise history to receive the award.

“There are so many great defensemen in this league, and to be honored among so many great players, to be on that trophy with so many great players, guys I’ve looked up to, guys I’ve idolized, guys I’ve played against, that pushed me to be better, it’s one of the greatest honors I could have,” Werenski told ESPN radio after receiving the award. 

The Norris Trophy adds to what has already been a memorable year for Werenski. Earlier this year, he helped Team USA capture a gold medal at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics alongside three other NHL players with TPH ties: Kyle Connor, Matthew Tkachuk, and Connor Hellebuyck, further cementing his place among the top defensemen in the game.

As one of the most recognizable hockey figures in Columbus, Werenski’s success serves as a powerful inspiration for the next generation of players. With the recent launch of TPH Academy Columbus, local student-athletes now have access to a premier environment that combines elite hockey development, academic excellence, and personalized support. As they pursue their own goals both on and off the ice, they can follow a path modeled by players like Werenski, who have risen from Columbus to the highest levels of the sport.