Rasmus Dahlin, D, Buffalo Sabres
Cole Makar, D, Colorado Avalanche
Zach Werenski, D, Columbus Blue Jackets
Each season, the James Norris Memorial Trophy is given to the defensive player who demonstrates the most all-around ability over the course of the season, as voted on by the PHWA.
This year’s winner, Zach Werenski, has had a memorable season, to say the least. On the ice with the Blue Jackets, he posted 22 goals and 59 assists for 81 points in 75 games. As a member of the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team, he assisted on the golden goal scored by Jack Hughes to give the U.S. the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Off the ice, Werenski and his wife, Odette, welcomed their first child in May. So when an NHL Productions camera crew came by a family gathering at Werenski’s house, he thought it was for a father’s day feature. Odette and Werenski’s brother, Brad, however, knew that he was about to be surprised with the Norris Trophy.