Blue Jackets' Alexandre Texier to play for France in world championships

Alexandre Texier’s next game will be for his country instead of the Blue Jackets.

The 22-year old has sought and received permission from the Jackets to play for France in the men’s world championship, which will be held May 13-29 in Finland (Helsinki and Tampere). It will be his first action since fracturing a finger Jan. 26 against the Calgary Flames in 6-0 loss at Nationwide Arena.

The injury, combined with the deaths of two people close to Texier, prompted his return to France in late February — roughly one month after the injury occurred. He was granted an indefinite leave of absence from the Blue Jackets on March 10 and missed the rest of the season.

“Alexandre Texier reached out to let us know that he was ready to get back on the ice and asked our permission to participate in the world championships,” Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said in a statement released Tuesday. “We were very happy to hear that he is doing well physically and mentally and ready to take this next step in his journey.”

Texier had 11 goals, nine assists and 20 points in 36 games and became one of the Jackets’ most important two-way forwards. After a slow start centering the top line, he thrived following a shift to right wing on the fourth line with Eric Robinson and Sean Kuraly. Texier's confidence also got a boost while killing penalties, where he scored arguably the goal of the year for the Jackets Nov. 20 in Las Vegas.

Texier has yet to play a full season in the NHL since arriving in 2019, but played 49 of 56 games last year, which was abbreviated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The length of his absence, decision to stay in France so long and news that he’ll play in the world championships prompted speculation Texier might decide against returning to the NHL altogether.

Texier’s agent, Simo Niiranen, said that’s not the case.

“He is planning to do so,” Niiranen said via text message, when asked if Texier will play in Columbus next season.

Should that plan change, it would be similar to a decision in January by former Blue Jackets forward Gregory Hofmann — who befriended Texier while in Columbus to start the year and didn't return from a trip home to Switzerland for the birth of his first child.

Hofmann stayed with his wife and newborn rather than finishing what could be his only NHL season, drawing a brief suspension by the Blue Jackets followed by a contract termination he requested. He rejoined EV Zug in Switzerland's top division and also skated for Switzerland in February at the Beijing Winter Olympics.

Should Texier decide to go a similar route, rather than returning to Columbus, his options would be limited. He’s under contract for one more season with the Blue Jackets before reaching restricted free agency with arbitration rights and is under team control as an RFA through 2024-25.

Texier could follow in Hofmann’s footsteps and request termination of his contract, which might not be granted, or request a trade to another NHL team. There is no indication he’s mulling any of those options or that he's unhappy playing in Columbus. The Blue Jackets anticipate his return for training camp next fall.

“We are excited that he will be representing France at the world championships and look forward to his return to the Blue Jackets next season,” Kekalainen said.

bhedger@dispatch.com

@BrianHedger

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Alexandre Texier to play for France in world championships