"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", Alexandre Texier is quoted on the Blue Jackets' website. Instead of heading overseas, the 22-year-old will spend the coming season with the ZSC Lions.
"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", Columbus' GM Jarmo Kekäläinen comments on the matter.
A 2017 second-round draft pick, Texier has made 141 games in the NHL so far, recording 24 goals and 32 assists. Prior to the NHL, the forward played for the Liiga's KalPa and his youth team, Grenoble in the Ligue Magnus.
"Alexandre is a young, talented and fast forward. Rikard Grönborg can use him as a center or as a winger and both on the powerplay and boxplay", the Lions' team manager Sven Leuenberger states.
