Columbus Blue Jackets defenceman Zach Werenski will not play for Team USA at the world hockey championship due to the facial fractures he suffered in Game 3 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Werenski told the Columbus Dispatch he would have played for the Americans in France, but is facing a four-to-six week recovery.

The star rookie's season came to an end after he attempted to block a shot by Phil Kessel with his stick and instead deflected the puck into his face.

The 19-year-old Calder finalist returned for the third period of Game 3 after taking the puck under his right eye a period earlier but could not play in overtime due to the extreme swelling. He was ruled out for the remainder of the postseason one day later.

Werenski scored 11 goals and added 36 assists in 78 games during the regular season. He scored his lone goal of the playoffs earlier in Game 3.