Canadiens Alexandre Texier: Big Night for a French NHL Star
Alexandre Texier had one of those nights that makes you take notice, even if the final score didn’t look like a blowout. In Montreal’s 4–1 win over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday, Texier scored a goal and added two assists — his first three-point game in the NHL. He also passed 100 career points, becoming just the third player born in France to hit that mark. For a guy whose NHL career has been a long climb, it was a moment worth celebrating.
How Texier Landed with the Canadiens
Texier’s path to Montreal has been winding. Drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the second round in 2017, he bounced between the NHL and AHL early on, while also spending time in Finland’s SM-liiga with KalPa Kuopio. He showed flashes in his first NHL games in 2018–19, slowly building consistency over the next few seasons.
By 2023–24, he had 30 points in 78 NHL games — solid numbers that proved he could handle a full NHL season. A stint with the St. Louis Blues in 2024–25 didn’t quite click, and he was released in November 2025. Montreal picked him up the same day, and he’s been making the most of the opportunity ever since.
This Season, Texier Is Playing on the Canadiens’ Top Line
Playing alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield on the Canadiens’ top line, Texier is finding his rhythm. He’s not just scoring; he’s making plays, reading the ice well, and finishing in the right spots. Wednesday’s three-point night wasn’t just a personal milestone — it was a statement that he belongs in the NHL and can contribute in big moments.
The milestone is also a reminder of how rare it is for French players to reach this level. Philippe Bozon broke barriers decades ago. Antoine Roussel has led all French players in points, and Pierre-Édouard Bellemare has carved out a long NHL career. Texier is now carrying that torch, the only active French player on the Canadiens roster, showing that players from France can make a difference in the world’s top league.
Texier Will Be Playing for Team France in the Olympics
And with the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina coming up, Texier will be France’s leading NHL representative on the ice. For French hockey, that’s huge. It’s a chance to show the world what they’ve been building, and for Texier, an opportunity to lead by example on a global stage. Wednesday’s performance is just one night, but it’s one more step in a career that’s been built on persistence, patience, and taking chances when they come.