Workforce USA hockey star Zach Werenski has skilled life’s most euphoric highs and devastating lows all throughout the span of six months.
Werenski, 27, might be on the ice when USA faces Canada within the championship recreation of the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off at Boston’s TD Backyard on Thursday, February 20, which comes months after his good buddy and Columbus Blue Jackets teammate, Johnny Gaudreau, was killed in August 2024.
Along with representing his nation, the Grosse Pointe, Michigan native is within the midst of a profession 12 months within the NHL, at the moment tied for second in defensemen scoring.
All through all of it, Werenski has been capable of rely on the soundness of his fiancée, Odette Peters, to whom he acquired engaged in Might 2024.
“She’s been unbelievable,” Werenski solely informed Us Weekly on Tuesday, February 18. “I owe a whole lot of the success this 12 months to her, to be trustworthy. She’s been right here in Boston throughout this journey. I simply really feel like there’s so many feelings. Once you get again to the resort and you’ve got her there — some familiarity, simply somebody to wind down with — I believe that’s been tremendous useful. Clearly simply being together with her all season, it’s been superior. I credit score a whole lot of my success to her.”
He added, “These are as soon as in a lifetime alternatives, so I’m glad we’re doing it.”
Werenski and Gaudreau had been teammates for 2 seasons in Columbus earlier than Gaudreau and his youthful brother, Matthew, had been struck and killed by an alleged drunk driver whereas driving bicycles in Oldmans Township, New Jersey on the evening earlier than their sister Katie’s wedding ceremony.
Since Johnny’s dying, Werenski and his fiancée have been a supply of consolation for Johnny’s spouse, Meredith, and their two youngsters: Noa, 2, and Johnny, 11 months. In November 2024, Meredith even shared an image through Instagram of Werenski doing Noa’s make-up.
Johnny — who would have possible been on the Workforce USA roster — has been a continuing presence for the Individuals through the 4 Nations Face-Off. The crew has been handing out a jersey bearing Johnny’s title to their participant of the sport, and Johnny and Matthew’s father, Man, practiced with Workforce USA earlier than the beginning of the match.
Meredith Gaudreau was fêted by the close-knit Columbus Blue Jackets group as she prepares to welcome her third child. Gaudreau, who’s at the moment pregnant together with her third little one with late Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau, celebrated with a tea celebration at Columbus’ Cambridge Tea Home on Sunday, February 2. The “Girl Jackets Child Bathe” additionally […]
“He’s nonetheless an enormous a part of this,” Werenski mentioned of his late buddy. “All the blokes on this crew and all the blokes in Columbus and across the league all the time consider John and Matt. We attempt to honor them in no matter approach we will. I really feel like this week’s been tremendous particular — having Man round, having John’s jersey hung up. I believe it’s in all probability nice for the household to see all that, to see that we’re nonetheless honoring them and enjoying for them.”
Werenski added, “They’re nonetheless making a huge impact on these groups.”
Workforce USA faces Canada within the 4 Nations Face-Off championship recreation on Thursday, February 20, at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
