A day after the Blue Jackets revealed that forward Alexandre Texier would not be suiting up for them this season citing a need to be closer to family, he has found his team for the upcoming season as Zurich of the Swiss NLA announced they’ve inked Texier to a one-year deal.
The 22-year-old got off to a good start last season, notching 11 goals and nine assists in 36 games, already career bests. However, he suffered a finger injury back in January and then before he could return, he was granted a leave of absence from the team in March following a pair of deaths in the family. Texier did suit up for France at the World Championship in May where he picked up five points in seven games.
Officially, Texier is under suspension by Columbus which allowed them to bypass needing to pass him through waivers in order to loan him overseas. As such, the Blue Jackets will toll his existing contract which has one year left on it which will now cover the 2023-24 campaign. Between that and an agreement that also included the NHL and the NHLPA, Texier will now be able to play much closer to home to be closer to his family as he joins Zurich who intends to use him at both center and the wing next season.