Alexandre Texier will not be on the Blue Jackets this season.
Per the team's release, "per the advice and recommendation of the NHL/NHLPA Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program, will not join the club for the 2022-23 National Hockey League season."
#CBJs full release on Texier. pic.twitter.com/SeuasVaywb
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) August 24, 2022
Texier will be able to sign a one-year deal with a club in Switzerland, per Aaron Portzline of The Athletic.
Told #CBJ Alexandre Texier will sign and play in Switzerland. Announcement coming soon.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) August 24, 2022
Since he will not play this season, his $1.525M cap hit will not count against the cap this season, and will still be under contract for the 2023-24 season if he returns.
The final year of Texier's contract with #CBJ will slide, so he'd still be under the final year of his contract if he opts to play in the #NHL next season.#CBJ have suspended him, and a joint agreement w #NHL and #NHLPA allows him to play elsewhere (Switzerland).
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) 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. I have love and respect for the city of Columbus, the Blue Jackets, and the fans as everyone has always treated me first-class," Texier said in a statement. "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 played just 36 games last season due to both a broken finger and a leave of absence he took when he returned to his home nation of France.
“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," Jarmo Kekalainen said in the team's release. "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.”
