A disappointing 2023 campaign for the Columbus Blue Jackets included upheaval in the coaching chain and the front office. That was followed by the tragic loss of player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew in late August.
With a new season starting Thursday night against the Minnesota Wild, players are setting their sights on success.
The team hired President and General Manager Don Waddell and Head Coach Dean Evason as the new leaders of the Blue Jackets. Starting Thursday night, the team's alternate captains will be stepping in as one of the alternate captains with Captain Boone Jenner's injury sidelining him this week.
Zach Werenski is one of those alternates. Werenski told WOSU the losses of his friend and teammate Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew are weighing on the team, but they want to honor the spirit he brought to the game.
"We just want to come to the rink with joy, play hockey and enjoy being here, because that's what John liked to do. So we don't really want anything too special. We just want to play for him and approach the game the way he did," Werenski said.
The team is set to honor Gaudreau during Tuesday's home opener at Nationwide Arena.
Werenski said the additions of Evason and Waddell have been awesome, and he is excited to see Waddell's vision for the team unfold.
Werenski said it's been refreshing to have Evason in the room. The Blue Jackets will face his former team, the Wild, in their season opener.
"I feel like this year it's taking steps towards our goal, which is making the playoffs and ultimately winning the Cup. So I think if we can do that, we can build that winning culture and work towards a successful year for our hockey club," Werenski said.
Werenski also said the games he is looking most forward to are the home opener and the Stadium Series game set to take place at Ohio Stadium. Werenski is a former University of Michigan Wolverine and said the prospect of playing outdoors in The Shoe for a hockey game is going to be a lot of fun.
"Obviously there's a little bit of a rivalry there, but that's put aside for this game. I think it's just more of an honor to play in that building. So we're all excited for it," Werenski said.
The Stadium Series game is in March of next year against the Detroit Red Wings.
