Blue Jackets forward returning to team next season from Europe after being in NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program

Just over six weeks before the NHL's 2022-23 season began, the Columbus Blue Jackets announced that forward Alexandre Texier not play for the team during the year due to personal reasons.

The 23-year-old was placed in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program and was allowed to sign in Europe, where he inked a contract with Switzerland's ZSC Lions.

While meeting with the media following the trade deadline on Friday, Blue Jackets General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen told reporters that the teams expects Texier to return to Columbus for the 2023-24 season.

Texier, a native of Saint-Martin-d'Heres (France), is having a pretty strong season in Switzerland with the ZSC Lions, putting up 34 points (13 goals, 21 assists), 30 penalty minutes and is a plus-18 in 45 games.

Blue Jackets fan may not have to wait too long before they can watch Texier on TV, as there's a pretty strong chance he will be representing France at the 2023 IIHF World Hockey Championship in May.

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