Alexandre Texier has returned to Columbus after spending last season with the ZSC Lions in Switzerland's National League. The 24-year-old forward made his NHL debut with the Blue Jackets at the end of the 2018-19 season and has played in 128 games for the squad, notching 22 goals among 49 points.
Texier is a skilled player who is always looking for the net when he is on the ice. Despite being one of the many young Jackets on the roster, he has no trouble holding his own, standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing in at 201 pounds.
The Saint-Martin-d'Hères, France, native was selected in the second round (No. 45) of the 2017 NHL Draft. Texier helped the club win their first Stanley Cup Playoffs series in 2019, posting a 2-1-3 line in the first round as the squad swept the Tampa Bay Lightning. He has played in every game of this season so far.
Texier met with BlueJackets.com on Wednesday after CBJ practice. The conversation has been edited for length.
1. BlueJackets.com: Now that you’re back in Columbus, have you noticed any changes?
Alexandre Texier: “Not really in the city, more so in the rink. Especially the locker room and the facilities here. The upgrades are nice. But I feel like downtown hasn’t really changed.”
2. Have you been able to find any good French food in Columbus and do you have any favorites from back home?
“I’ve found a good bakery, but it’s not the same. I like their croissants and chocolatines, but it’s not the same. I don’t know if I have a favorite, there’s just so many things, like foie gras. You put it on bread for Christmas, that’s a famous one.”
3. How did you get introduced to hockey, especially growing up in France?
“My dad played hockey, so I started when I was probably 3 years old. I played tennis until I was 16, but I stopped because I had to pick between hockey and tennis, with school and everything. But since my dad played, that’s one of the biggest reasons.”
4. What sports do you enjoy besides hockey?
“Soccer and tennis are the two big ones that I watch in the afternoons.”
What leagues are your favorite?
“I watch everything, French league, Champions League, obviously last year I watched the World Cup. For tennis, I watch all the big tournaments like the French Open and U.S. Open.”
Do you watch the Columbus Crew at all?
“Yeah, we just went to one of their games about three weeks ago. It was a lot of fun. It ended in a 1-1 tie; it was a good game.”
5. Are there any shows you’re watching right now?
“Family Business. It’s on Netflix. It might be a French show, I’m honestly not sure, but that’s what I've been watching right now.”
