Werenski departs with quad bruise after knee-on-knee with Hathaway

Warning: Story contains coarse language

Defenseman Zach Werenski was ruled out for the remainder of the Columbus Blue Jackets’ season opener Thursday after suffering a quad contusion, the team announced.

Head coach Pascal Vincent said the injury isn’t believed to be long term, per The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline.

Werenski was helped off the ice after taking a knee-on-knee hit from Philadelphia Flyers forward Garnet Hathaway, who was assessed a two-minute minor for kneeing.

Zach Werenski leaves the game following a scary knee-on-knee collision with Garnet Hathaway.

Hathaway was given a 2-minute minor for kneeing on the play. pic.twitter.com/X01AzYFR55

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 13, 2023

Blue Jackets teammate Erik Gudbranson wasn’t a fan of the hit.

“It was fucking dirty,” Gudbranson said.

Thursday marked Werenski’s first game since suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in November 2022.

Werenski produced three goals and five assists in 13 games last season. The 26-year-old is averaging 48 points per 82 contests over his career.

The Blue Jackets’ No. 1 D-man is in the second campaign of a six-year, $57.5-million contract he signed in 2021. Werenski’s $9.58-million cap hit is the third-highest among NHL defensemen this season.

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