Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski underwent successful surgery earlier today to repair an injured shoulder, club General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced. The surgery was performed by Dr. Larry Watson, one of the club's OhioHealth team physicians, at Orthopedic ONE in Columbus. Full recovery is expected to take five to six months.

"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," said Kekalainen. "The surgery went very well and the expectation is Zach will be ready to play by the start of the season or shortly thereafter."

Werenski, 20, collected 16 goals and 21 assists for 37 points with 16 penalty minutes and a +8 plus/minus rating in 77 games this season. His 16 goals were a team record for goals by a defenseman, tied with teammate Seth Jones, and ranked fourth among NHL blueliners. He ranked second on the club in time on ice at 22:34 and made his All-Star Game debut at Amalie Arena in Tampa in January.

The Grosse Pointe, Michigan native was an NHL All-Rookie Team selection and finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy as the League's most outstanding rookie in 2016-17 after he notched 11-36-47, 14 PIM and was +17 in 78 games. The club's first pick, eighth overall, at the 2015 NHL Draft, Werenski has registered 27-57-84, 30 PIM and is +25 in 155 career NHL games.

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