Blue Jackets' Werenski to undergo sports hernia surgery, out for season

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski will undergo sports hernia surgery next week and miss the remainder of the 2021 season, the team announced Friday.

"Zach has been playing through the injury for most of the season and as much as we would like to have him in the lineup, having the surgery now is the right decision and will allow him to be 100% before the start of training camp in the fall," general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said.

The 23-year-old is a key piece of Columbus' blue line. He's notched 20 points in 35 games this season while averaging over 24 minutes per contest.

The Blue Jackets sit seven points out of a playoff position with 14 games remaining.