SPORTS

Blue Jackets' Werenski out 5-6 months after shoulder surgery

The Associated Press Published Thursday, May 3, 2018 1:47PM EDT

Washington Capitals right wing T.J. Oshie (77) works for the puck against Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) during overtime of Game 5 of an NHL first-round hockey playoff series, Saturday, April 21, 2018, in Washington. The Capitals won 4-3. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Columbus Blue Jackets defencemen Zach Werenski had surgery on a shoulder injury that has bothered him since early last season.

The team says full recovery is expected to take five to six months. General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen says Werenski will be ready "by the start of the season or shortly thereafter."

The 20-year-old Werenski had the procedure on Thursday in Columbus.

He said after the playoffs the injury from a game in October affected his slap shot the rest of the season.

Still, he and Seth Jones both had 16 goals, a franchise record for defencemen and fourth in the NHL among blue-liners. He has 27 goals and 57 assists in 155 career NHL games over the past two seasons.