Overview
- The Professional Hockey Writers Association and the NHL announced Werenski as the 2025‑26 Norris Trophy winner on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, after he led all vote-getters with 113 first‑place votes and 1,589 points.
- Werenski produced 81 points (22 goals, 59 assists) in 75 games, led the Columbus Blue Jackets in scoring for a second straight year and averaged 26:37 of ice time.
- The trophy presentation was staged in an NHL Productions surprise video at a family gathering, where Werenski had just welcomed his first son and celebrated his international success.
- Released vote totals showed notable anomalies that sparked discussion: Cale Makar finished second (47 first‑place votes), Rasmus Dahlin third (13), Evan Bouchard—who led defensemen with 95 points—finished fourth, and Jakob Chychrun received zero votes.
- Werenski is the first Norris winner in Blue Jackets history and his back‑to‑back high seasons plus two recent international gold medals have boosted his profile and revived conversation about how the award weights offense, defensive play, and career legacy.