“Experienced some personal issues and challenges” – Forward Alexander Texier won’t be playing for Blue Jackets this season
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Alexander Texier
Columbus Blue Jackets announced that forward Alexander Texier won’t be participating in the upcoming regular-season games. The forward still has 1-year remaining in his 2-year contract signed on July 28, 2021. He has a risk of becoming a restricted free agent after this season.
During his break, he will not get paid, and his salary will not count against the NHL salary cap, though he has the option to sign a 1-year contract to play in Europe this season. After having a fractured finger on January 26th, he took a break from the team in March, keeping his record at 20 points with 11 goals and 9 assists in 36 games.
NHL Players Association’s decision regarding forward Alexander Texier
Texier’s break from the upcoming NHL season was based on a joint decision of the team and the NHL/NHL Players Association Substance Abuse and Behavioural Health Program. The 22-year-old was selected by the Blue Jackets in the second round of the 2017 NHL Draft. He scored 49 points with 22 goals and 27 assists in 123 regular-season games and 7 points with 2 goals and 5 assists in 18 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
In a statement, Texier noted, “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. 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.”
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Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalaine said, “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”. “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.”
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Kaushani Chatterjee
(2173 Articles Published)