Texier rejoining Blue Jackets for 2023-24 season

Forward Alexandre Texier is rejoining the Columbus Blue Jackets for the 2023-24 season, the team announced Wednesday.

Texier didn't join the Blue Jackets last season at the recommendation of the NHL/NHLPA Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program. The 23-year-old spent the 2022-23 campaign in Switzerland, where he registered 35 points in 46 games with the ZSC Lions.

"Alexandre Texier is an outstanding young player who is an important part of our team, and we are excited that he will be rejoining the club as expected next season," general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said in a statement. "His well-being has been our sole priority, and we couldn't be happier that he is ready to resume what is a very promising NHL career at this time."

Texier signed a two-year contract extension in July 2021. The second year of that contract - originally intended for 2022-23 - will cover the upcoming 2023-24 season. He'll have a $1.5-million cap hit.

The French international started to find his offensive touch in 2021-22. He tallied a career-high 11 goals and 20 points in 36 games with the Blue Jackets before sustaining a broken finger and being granted a leave of absence from the team. He last played in the NHL on Jan. 26, 2022.

Columbus drafted Texier in the second round of the 2017 draft.

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