MONTREAL — Expectations might have been low among Montreal Canadiens fans when the team signed Alexandre Texier as a free agent this past November.
After all, the Frenchman had just seen his contract terminated by the St. Louis Blues after recording just one assist in eight total games in 2024-25 and 12 points in 39 regular-season games over parts of two seasons with the franchise.
However, after recording his first career hat trick in Montreal’s 6-2 win over the Florida Panthers on Thursday, the Bell Centre faithful have taken note of Texier’s offensive flair.
“I live in the moment and try to give my 100 per cent each night,” said Texier.
His three goals against the Panthers came just one night after he scored and had two assists in a 4-1 victory over the Calgary Flames, the first three-point outing of his NHL career.
Texier said that being on Montreal’s top line alongside offensive weapons Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield is a key reason behind his recent scoring success.
“I appreciate the opportunity I’ve been given to be here,” said Texier. “I am grateful and proud. I’m giving myself every opportunity to stay.”
In 22 games with Montreal so far this season, the native of Saint-Martin-d’Hères, France, has scored seven goals while adding seven assists.
“I think Tex is playing the game that’s in front of him,” said Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis. “He has all the tools to do what his brain is telling him to do. He’s not trying to reinvent anything.
“He has an opportunity right now to play with excellent players and I think he’s taking advantage of it.”
Suzuki agreed with his coach.
“(Texier has) been great since we got him,” said Suzuki. “He’s been through some struggles over the years and I think he’s found a good spot here.
“He’s playing some really good hockey right now and it was great to see him get a hat trick at the end.”
St. Louis said he was never afraid to have Texier on Montreal’s top line.
The Montreal coach was already familiar with Texier’s game, having serving as a special teams consultant with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2019 while the Frenchman was turning heads playing for Columbus’ American Hockey League affiliate in Cleveland.
“When you have a fresh start, it’s a new opportunity to make a good first impression,” said St. Louis. “From the start, he has done that. You can’t do anything about the past and you can’t worry about the future.
“You have to stay in the present and that’s what he has done.”
Texier was also recently named to France’s men’s hockey team ahead of next month’s Milano Cortina Olympics. As the lone NHLer named to the team, Texier can expect to play heavy minutes in the international tournament.
In the interim. Texier is focused on the 13 games that remain on Montreal’s schedule before the Olympic break begins on Feb. 6.
“I’ve been given an opportunity and it’s going well,” he said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 9, 2026.
Jordan Stoopler, The Canadian Press
