Werenski heads home a big winner from All-Star weekend

In a city that is all about your winnings, there were few bigger victors at the NHL All-Star festivities in Las Vegas than Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski.
After winning the once-in-a-lifetime NHL Fountain Face-Off at the Bellagio as part of the league's skills competition, Werenski put another feather in his cap Saturday afternoon as the Metropolitan Division emerged victorious in the All-Star contest itself.

The Metro teamed up to beat the host Pacific Division by a 6-4 score before a 5-3 victory over the Central Division in the final, and Werenski was a key part of the division's success. He was the top defenseman for the squad, finishing with three assists, a plus-4 rating and three shots on goal in the two contests.
Werenski wasn't shy about saying he came to Vegas to win, and it was more than just Lady Luck on his side.
"We played hard," he said postgame. "We talked before the first game, we wanted to make sure we got into the finals. In between games, we said we were going to play a little bit harder there to win it. Our goalies made some great stops late in the game. I think as a group, we just put in the effort tonight and found a way to win it."
Of course, the weekend was about much more than just winning an All-Star game. Werenski's family, friends and girlfriend all made the trip to Las Vegas to enjoy everything, and he got to play against and hang out with childhood friends Dylan Larkin and Kyle Connor. He also had the chance to have a front-row seat for Machine Gun Kelly's intermission performance; after all, coming to Vegas is nothing if you don't see a show.

Add in the unique experience of standing in the iconic Fountains of Bellagio to take part in one of the most unique NHL attractions in history, and Werenski flies home from his second All-Star experience having felt like he made some memories for life.
"Yeah, it was awesome," he said. "Having it here in Vegas, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and to do the fountain challenge at the Bellagio and then coming out here and win it with these guys has been a lot of fun.
"With the fans, the performers, the intros, it was first-class. It was really well done. It was awesome. Just walking through the casino, going to dinner, seeing guys I've never met before but know who you are just from playing against each other, getting to know them, it was a perfect setup. It was a lot of fun here."
It helped that Werenski knew what he was in for as opposed to his first All-Star contest in 2018 in Tampa. Then, he was a late injury replacement for Seth Jones and had a whirlwind trip to Florida, only finding out a day in advance that he was headed to the game.
This time around, he was chosen off the hop and was able to use his experience the first time to inform him on how this one would go. He made a point to make sure he hung out with some of his fellow All-Stars this time around, and even left with sticks from players including Metro teammate and All-Star MVP Claude Giroux.
"This year, I felt like I took that in more than I did last time in Tampa," he said. "I tried to meet more guys, get to know them on a personal level. I really enjoyed it. I liked all the guys on our team. I thought we had a good group for this, and it was fun coming out here and meeting them."
If there was any disappointment, it was that Werenski was unable to put the puck in the back of the net. He had a few breakaway opportunities as the 3-on-3 games unfolded but was snakebitten, as he has been for much of the year.
"I know, I know," he said when asked about failing to convert. "It would have been fun. Kind of how my year is going, to be honest. I can't really score, but I had fun with it, made some good plays, had some chances. Would have liked to have one maybe just to say I scored in an All-Star Game, but it is what it is."
And since it is Vegas, one must also take money into account. As is anyone's goal when they come to the city, he'll leave a richer man than when he arrived, as the 11 players on the Metro-winning squad get to split the $1 million prize.
After saying he wouldn't do anything too crazy with the money, Werenski was intrigued when it was suggested he could go to a casino and put it all on black at the roulette table.
"Maybe," he said. "You never know. It's Vegas."