Mike Brehm, USA TODAYTue, November 25, 2025 at 4:39 AM UTC·1 min readInjuries continued to pile up for the U.S. Olympic men's hockey team when Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman left Monday's game with an upper-body injury.
He hasn't been named to the team yet but he played for the USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off and the world championships. Heading into Monday's game, he was tied with three others for the most points by a U.S.-born defenseman this season.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt's unclear how Werenski was hurt. He played 17-plus minutes through two periods but didn't come out for the third.
Dean Evason had no postgame update on Werenski or on Mathieu Olivier, who also left the game early.
"You guys know both those players and if they leave the game, it's not positive, that's for sure," he told reporters. "We'll evaluate (Tuesday) and see where we're at."
Oct. 11: Los Angeles Kings left wing Jeff Malott (39) and Winnipeg Jets defenseman Luke Schenn (5) fight during the first period at Canada Life Centre.
Oct. 9: Vegas Golden Knights center Tomas Hertl (48) checks San Jose Sharks center Philipp Kurashev (96) at center ice during the third period at SAP Center.
Oct. 9: Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh (43) and Ottawa Senators left wing Kurtis MacDermid (23) fight during the first period at Benchmark International Arena.
Oct. 9: Carolina Hurricanes left wing Jordan Martinook (48) checks New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier (13) during the third period at Lenovo Center.
Oct. 9: Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (26) checks New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin (10) as he goes after a loose puck during the second period at KeyBank Center.
Oct 7: Los Angeles Kings left wing Jeff Malott (39) points to Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) after he finished fighting Josh Manson during the first period at Crypto.com Arena.
Oct. 7: Chicago's Nick Foligno fights with Florida's A.J. Greer during the first period at Amerant Bank Arena.1 / 7NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Oct. 11: Los Angeles Kings left wing Jeff Malott (39) and Winnipeg Jets defenseman Luke Schenn (5) fight during the first period at Canada Life Centre.1 / 7NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Oct. 11: Los Angeles Kings left wing Jeff Malott (39) and Winnipeg Jets defenseman Luke Schenn (5) fight during the first period at Canada Life Centre.2 / 7NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Oct. 9: Vegas Golden Knights center Tomas Hertl (48) checks San Jose Sharks center Philipp Kurashev (96) at center ice during the third period at SAP Center.3 / 7NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Oct. 9: Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh (43) and Ottawa Senators left wing Kurtis MacDermid (23) fight during the first period at Benchmark International Arena.4 / 7NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Oct. 9: Carolina Hurricanes left wing Jordan Martinook (48) checks New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier (13) during the third period at Lenovo Center.5 / 7NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Oct. 9: Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (26) checks New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin (10) as he goes after a loose puck during the second period at KeyBank Center.6 / 7NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Oct 7: Los Angeles Kings left wing Jeff Malott (39) points to Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) after he finished fighting Josh Manson during the first period at Crypto.com Arena.7 / 7NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Oct. 7: Chicago's Nick Foligno fights with Florida's A.J. Greer during the first period at Amerant Bank Arena.U.S. Olympic hockey injury updates
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews could return from a lower-body injury as early as Wednesday.
Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk (thumb surgery) hopes to be back soon after Thanksgiving. His brother, Matthew, is still rehabbing from offseason hernia surgery.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBoston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy had surgery after being hit in the face by a puck. He's expected to be OK for the Olympics.
Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who hasn't been named to the team, had knee surgery on Nov. 22 and is out four to six weeks.
Among other players who took part in the 4 Nations, forward J.T. Miller is day-to-day with an upper-body injury and defenseman Jaccob Slavin (lower body_ has been limited to two games.
USA Hockey must finalize its roster by Dec. 31.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Zach Werenski, potential USA defenseman, leaves game with injury
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