Alexandre Texier

November 2019 – The French rookie has found himself on the IR early in the season after suffering a leg injury. He is considered week-to-week and should return sometime late November. The 20-year-old has struggled to find the scoresheet this season and has registered only two goals and one assist through 11 games. Head Coach John Tortorella has shuffled the lineup on (almost) a nightly basis which has made it tough for the young winger to find chemistry. However, he seems to have found a permanent home on the team’s second powerplay unit which should keep the chances coming. Patience is key with this young prospect as the production should follow the chances sooner or later. Dave Hall

Oct 2019 Alexandre Texier has officially kicked off his 2019-20 rookie campaign with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 20-year-old winger began the season on the top line alongside Pierre Luc-Dubois and Cam Atkinson. However, expect him to be used anywhere on the team’s top nine as they try to find the right chemistry. He has also found minutes on the team’s second powerplay unit along with fellow rookie Emil Bemstrom. In three games, Texier has added five shots on goal, a +1 rating and most importantly, a game-winning goal in overtime to give the club their first win of the season. The 2017 second-round pick should get every opportunity to showcase his talents this year and if these first games are any indication, should be someone to look out for in the near future. Dave Hall

April 2019 – Texier was called up early this month by the Blue Jackets and made his NHL debut immediately. As expected in his first game his ice-time was limited, but he was also held off the scoresheet. The following game featured increased minutes, a plus three and most importantly, his first NHL goal. That impressive audition, and hopefully some playoff experience is exactly what Texier needs in order to secure a full-time role in the NHL next season. Frank Pellegrini

October 2018 –Texier has returned to KalPa Kuopio of the SM-liiga for the 2018-2019 season where he is expected to continue his development as one of the top prospects in the Blue Jackets’ pipeline. He is skilled, quick, can put the puck in the net and has lived up to his potential at every level thus far. He has the tools and pedigree to become a top-line player but will need approximately three more years to get there. If he cannot seize that role, expect him to earn a top-six role with the Blue Jackets by then. Frank Pellegrini

December 2017 – Playing five contests for France’s WJC-20 D1A squad Texier has excelled with four assists, three of them coming Sunday evening in a 6-1 victory against Austria. His work with KalPa has also continued to impress with eight goals and four assists in 30 games. Not bad for an 18-year-old in the Finnish adult Liiga. Kevin Wickersham

October 2017 – After a solid start in Finland’s top league with three goals in his first ten contests Texier, predominatly serving on the fourth line, has been held scoreless in his last four. Nonetheless he’s tied for KalPa’s lead in goals as the club has struggled early to an uncharacteristic 3-8-1-2 record, second-worst in the Liiga. Kevin Wickersham

August 2017 – Texier, the first player hailing from the French hockey leagues ever selected in the NHL Entry Draft, agreed to a two-year deal with powerhouse KalPa (37-13-10 last year) of the Finnish Liiga. Still just 17, he’ll continue to develop before potentially moving to North America. Kevin Wickersham

July 2017 – Texier is an amazingly fast, young French senior league prospect with superb agility and puck handling skills. Constantly in motion, he boasts a heavy shot to go with crisp, pinpoint passes he can fire in tight space due to his upper body and wrist strength. Extreme quickness allows him to separate from defenders in no time. Texier’s impressive hockey IQ and on-ice vision, along with the maturity of hanging tough against older competition (including chipping in five goals and five assists during Grenoble’s recent 12-game postseason run), provide intriguing intangibles. Impressive in international play with one goal and seven assists for the French U20 WJC squad, adding two goals and three assists while captaining their U18 WJC club. Some scouts question how his skills may translate to the North American game. Time will tell, but physical play doesn’t seem to deter the 17-year-old. Kevin Wickersham