from Tom Reed of the Columbus Dispatch,

Zach Werenski met Jack Johnson several years ago on a recruiting trip to the University of Michigan. Details of that autumn afternoon were clear for one, a bit hazier for the other.

Johnson was an established NHL defenseman hanging out at the Wolverines-Notre Dame football game with his younger brother, Kenny, also on an informal visit that day.

“Jack was someone I kind of looked up to growing up,” the 19-year-old Werenski said. “He went to the (USA Hockey National Team Development Program) and Michigan. It’s a similar path I went on.

“He probably doesn’t remember, but I remembered. I knew who he was.”

The two Michigan men were introduced as a pair to Blue Jackets fans on Thursday night in Nationwide Arena. How would a Wolverine tandem play in Columbus?

Quite well, actually.

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