Team USA hockey star Zach Werenski has experienced life’s most euphoric highs and devastating lows all within the span of six months.
Werenski, 27, will be on the ice when USA faces Canada in the championship game of the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off at Boston’s TD Garden on Thursday, February 20, which comes months after his good friend and Columbus Blue Jackets teammate, Johnny Gaudreau, was killed in August 2024.
In addition to representing his country, the Grosse Pointe, Michigan native is in the midst of a career year in the NHL, currently tied for second in defensemen scoring.
Throughout it all, Werenski has been able to count on the stability of his fiancée, Odette Peters, to whom he got engaged in May 2024.
“She’s been incredible,” Werenski exclusively told Us Weekly on Tuesday, February 18. “I owe a lot of the success this year to her, to be honest. She’s been here in Boston during this trip. I just feel like there’s so many emotions. When you get back to the hotel and you have her there — some familiarity, just someone to wind down with — I think that’s been super helpful. Obviously just being with her all season, it’s been awesome. I credit a lot of my success to her.”
He added, “These are once in a lifetime opportunities, so I’m glad we’re doing it.”
Werenski and Gaudreau were teammates for two seasons in Columbus before Gaudreau and his younger brother, Matthew, were struck and killed by an alleged drunk driver while riding bicycles in Oldmans Township, New Jersey on the night before their sister Katie’s wedding.
Since Johnny’s death, Werenski and his fiancée have been a source of comfort for Johnny’s wife, Meredith, and their two children: Noa, 2, and Johnny, 11 months. In November 2024, Meredith even shared a picture via Instagram of Werenski doing Noa’s makeup.
Johnny — who would have likely been on the Team USA roster — has been a constant presence for the Americans during the 4 Nations Face-Off. The team has been handing out a jersey bearing Johnny’s name to their player of the game, and Johnny and Matthew’s father, Guy, practiced with Team USA before the start of the tournament.
Meredith Gaudreau was fêted by the close-knit Columbus Blue Jackets community as she prepares to welcome her third baby. Gaudreau, who is currently pregnant with her third child with late Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau, celebrated with a tea party at Columbus’ Cambridge Tea House on Sunday, February 2. The “Lady Jackets Baby Shower” also […]
“He’s still a huge part of this,” Werenski said of his late friend. “All the guys on this team and all the guys in Columbus and around the league always think of John and Matt. We try to honor them in whatever way we can. I feel like this week’s been super special — having Guy around, having John’s jersey hung up. I think it’s probably great for the family to see all that, to see that we’re still honoring them and playing for them.”
Werenski added, “They’re still making a big impact on these teams.”
Team USA faces Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game on Thursday, February 20, at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.