Werenski claims historic Norris Trophy as Seider marks Red Wings’ best finish in over a decade
Detroit’s Moritz Seider secures fifth place in a landmark year for Michigan-born NHL defencemen
The National Hockey League has awarded the 2026 Norris Trophy to Columbus Blue Jackets defenceman Zach Werenski, recognising him as the league’s premier defender. The announcement, made on Tuesday, marks the first time a player from the Blue Jackets has won the prestigious award, cementing Werenski’s status among the NHL’s elite.
Werenski, a native of Grosse Pointe and a University of Michigan alumnus, secured the victory by finishing ahead of Colorado Avalanche’s Cale Makar and Buffalo Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin. The win follows a strong campaign in which Werenski appeared in 75 games for Columbus, tallying 81 points comprising 22 goals and 59 assists. The total fell just short of his career-high 82 points set during the 2024-25 season.
In a notable development for Detroit, Red Wings defenceman Moritz Seider finished fifth in the media voting. Seider earned five first-place votes and 21 second-place votes, marking his first-ever appearance on the Norris Trophy ballot. His fifth-place finish represents the highest ranking for a Red Wings player since Nicklas Lidström achieved the same position in 2012.
Seider’s regular-season performance was robust, as he played in all 82 games for Detroit. He recorded a career-high 60 points, including 10 goals and 50 assists, while leading all Detroit skaters in ice time. The 2021 Calder Trophy winner had never previously been ranked in the Norris Trophy tally before this season.
Both players represented their national teams at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, adding an international dimension to their domestic achievements. Werenski appeared in all six games for the United States, scoring a goal against Germany during the preliminary round. Seider represented Germany, which advanced to the quarterfinals before a 6-2 defeat to Slovakia.
Werenski’s path to the award included a second-place finish in the 2025 voting. A two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year during his tenure at Michigan from 2014 to 2016, Werenski has spent his entire 10-year NHL career with the Blue Jackets. The victory underscores a significant year for Michigan-born talent in the league, with both Werenski and Seider delivering standout performances on the ice.
