Wennberg returns after getting new work visa

Signing Alexander Wennberg on Sept. 1 locked up a core piece of the Blue Jackets for the next six years. But for reasons out of anyone’s control, it also meant the first-line center would have to spend the next two-plus weeks in immigration purgatory while awaiting his new work visa.

On Tuesday, that wait finally ended. Wennberg was at Nationwide Arena with the Blue Jackets and gearing up for the season. He was never under consideration to play Tuesday night in an exhibition against the Chicago Blackhawks, but that didn’t dim Wennberg’s smile after his first team workout.

“I’ve been home waiting to go for the last two weeks, but it is what it is,” he said. “There’s nothing we can do about that visa stuff. We tried to make it happen as quick as possible, but I’m here right now and I’m ready to go and excited.”

After entering the offseason as a restricted free agent, Wennberg signed a six-year deal worth $29.4 million for an average of $4.9 million per year.

Once his visa was granted after getting paperwork from Columbus, visiting the embassy and getting all his documents ready, Wennberg said he booked the first flight he could get to Columbus, which left in four hours, and hopped on a plane to start his journey back from Sweden.

He got in around midnight Monday night, went through medical testing at 7 a.m. Tuesday and was on the ice three hours later.

“I didn’t watch him,” coach John Tortorella said. “I’m just glad he’s in camp. It was out of his control. I know he’s been doing his work on his own, but it’s just good to get him back in camp with the team and doing the things we’re doing.”

Tortorella has said that all players who have missed the early part of camp will have to make up the heavy volume of skating the rest of the roster has suffered through. While back home, Wennberg said he kept busy working out and skating to better prepare himself for his arrival.

Now he gets the chance to start familiarizing himself with new linemate Artemi Panarin and settling into the rhythm of the preseason.

“I’m a young guy,” he said. “I want to be a part of the future with the Blue Jackets. I’ve been waiting for this day to come to Columbus and play again. It’s just so good to be back.”