Alexandre Texier won’t join Columbus Blue Jackets for 2022-23 season
The Columbus Blue Jackets announced on Wednesday afternoon that forward Alexandre Texier won’t be joining the club for the 2022-23 season.
RELEASE: #CBJ F Alexandre Texier will not join the club for the 2022-23 NHL season. https://t.co/bSpfqtBrZY
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) August 24, 2022“During the past year, I have experienced some personal issues and challenges and I feel I need to be close to my family at this time,” said Texier in a statement released by the Blue Jackets. “I have love and respect for the city of Columbus, the Blue Jackets, and the fans as everyone has always treated me first-class. I truly appreciate the support, help and empathy I have received from team management, the coaching staff, doctors, trainers and my teammates. This was a hard decision, but it is the best one for me right now.”
Texier is reportedly signing with a team in Switzerland, although a more official announcement is expected soon.
“Alexandre Texier and I recently had a very long conversation in which he indicated to me that he was not ready to resume his career in the NHL at this time,” said Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen in the same statement. “While we are disappointed Tex will not be joining us for the 2022-23 season as we anticipated, his mental health and well-being remain our top priority and we will continue to support him in any way we can.”
Texier played in 36 games for the Blue Jackets last season, scoring 11 goals, nine assists, and 20 points before fracturing his finger in January. He was healed and close to a return in early March, but instead took a leave of absence to be closer to his family near Grenoble, France, and did not return for the remainder of the season.
Texier has one year remaining on a two-year deal with a $1.525 million cap hit. Since Texier will officially be suspended in order for him to sign in Switzerland, the Blue Jackets will not have to pay him, and his average annual value will not count against the Blue Jackets salary cap. Texier is a restricted free agent at the end of the 2022-23 season, so the Blue Jackets will still have his rights when he returns to the NHL.