Blue Jackets Grant Alexandre Texier a Leave of Absence

The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced that forward Alexandre Texier has been granted an indefinite leave of absence from the club for personal reasons.

Texier hasn't played since Jan. 26 due to a fractured finger. Prior to that, Texier had a career-high 20 points in 36 games, highlighted by 11 goals. Texier became the highest-drafted player to come from France when the Blue Jackets selected him 45th overall in 2017.

"Recently, Tex has experienced personal losses of people very close to him and our priority right now is to support him in every way possible," Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen said. "We are going to give him the time he needs and look forward to welcoming him back to the Blue Jackets family when he is ready."