
Few NHL stories take the kind of sudden turn that Alexandre Texier’s did in November 2025. One day he was a depth forward on the St. Louis Blues; the next his contract was terminated and he was signing with the Montreal Canadiens. Here’s what happened, why, and what it means for the French forward’s career.
Born: September 13, 1999 ·
Height: 6’1″ ·
Weight: 201 lbs ·
Position: Left Wing ·
NHL Team: Montreal Canadiens ·
2025-26 Points: 21
Quick snapshot
- Full name: Alexandre Texier (NHL.com (league’s official player page))
- Born September 13, 1999 in Saint-Martin-d’Heres, France (Elite Prospects (scouting database))
- Contract terminated by St. Louis Blues on November 23, 2025 (NHL.com – St. Louis Blues (team announcement))
- Signed a one-year, $1 million deal with Montreal Canadiens the same day (The Athletic (sports journalism outlet))
- Exact reason for contract termination (Sportsnet (Canadian sports broadcaster))
- Whether Texier is married or in a relationship (Sportsnet (Canadian sports broadcaster))
- His trade from Columbus to St. Louis involved a 2025 fourth-round pick (NHL.com (free agency round-up))
- 1999: Born in France (NHL.com)
- 2017: Drafted by Columbus Blue Jackets (2nd round, 64th overall) (NHL.com)
- 2024: Signed two-year, $4.2M contract with Blues (NHL.com)
- Nov 23, 2025: Contract terminated; signs with Canadiens (The Athletic)
- Texier is an unrestricted free agent after the termination (Sportsnet)
- Now playing for Montreal Canadiens on a one-year deal through 2025-26 (Pro Hockey Rumors (NHL news aggregator))
- Future contract will depend on performance in Montreal (Sportsnet)
Here is a summary of key facts about Alexandre Texier.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Alexandre Texier |
| Born | September 13, 1999 |
| Birthplace | Saint-Martin-d’Heres, France |
| Height | 6’1″ |
| Weight | 201 lbs |
| Position | Left Wing |
| Current NHL Team | Montreal Canadiens |
| Shoots | Left |
What happened to Alex Texier?
Texier’s early career with the Blues
Alexandre Texier arrived in St. Louis via a trade from the Columbus Blue Jackets in June 2024, with the Blues sending a 2025 fourth-round pick to Columbus (NHL.com (free agency round-up)). The team promptly signed him to a two-year contract worth $4.2 million — a $2.1 million annual cap hit (NHL.com). He played 39 games for the Blues across the remainder of the 2024–25 season and the start of 2025–26, putting up 12 points (6 goals, 6 assists) (Yahoo Sports (sports news aggregator)).
The contract termination announcement
On November 23, 2025, the Blues announced they had terminated Texier’s contract after he cleared unconditional waivers (NHL.com – St. Louis Blues (team announcement)). The move came after Texier had already cleared regular waivers earlier in the week and been assigned to AHL Springfield. Reportedly, he did not report to that assignment, which set the termination process in motion (Pro Hockey Rumors (NHL news aggregator)). At the time of termination, Texier had played only eight games in the 2025–26 season, recording one assist and averaging 10:15 of ice time (Sportsnet (Canadian sports broadcaster)).
Texier’s response and next steps
On the same day as the termination, Texier signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Montreal Canadiens, covering the remainder of the 2025–26 season (The Athletic (sports journalism outlet)). The move was described by insiders as a mutual split — Texier stepped away from the final year of his Blues agreement, and the termination removed his $2.1 million cap hit from St. Louis’ books (Yahoo Sports). Why this matters: The Blues freed cap space, and Texier landed in a familiar hockey market (Montreal) where he can rebuild his value.
The Blues’ termination removed Texier’s full $2.1M cap hit, giving the team flexibility at the trade deadline (Yahoo Sports).
What is Alexandre Texier’s salary?
Current contract details
Texier’s most recent full contract was the two-year deal he signed with St. Louis in June 2024: $4.2 million total, with a $2.1 million average annual value (NHL.com). After the termination, he signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Montreal Canadiens, which runs through the end of the 2025–26 season (Pro Hockey Rumors).
Salary cap hit
The Blues’ cap hit from Texier was $2.1 million per year. That amount was completely removed from their cap once the termination became official (Yahoo Sports). For Montreal, his current $1 million hit is near the league minimum.
Comparison to other NHL players
Among NHL forwards who signed contracts in 2024, the average AAV was roughly $3.1 million (Spotrac (NHL salary database)). Texier’s original $2.1 million was below league average; his $1 million deal with Montreal puts him in the bottom tier of NHL salaries.
Texier took a $1.1 million pay cut to restart his career in Montreal. For the Canadiens, it’s a low-risk bet on a 26-year-old forward who two years ago looked like a solid middle-six piece.
The implication: Texier’s salary plummeted, but he now has a path to reestablish his value.
Where does the name Texier come from?
Origin of the surname Texier
Texier is an occupational surname of French origin. It derives from the Old French word texier, meaning weaver — itself a variant of tisserand (Wikipedia – Texier (surname)). The name is most common in western France, particularly in the departments of Vendée and Loire-Atlantique.
Geographic distribution
According to genealogy databases, the surname Texier is heavily concentrated in the Pays de la Loire region and is also found, though less frequently, in central and southwestern France (MyHeritage (genealogy platform)).
Meaning in French
The literal translation of texier in modern French is “weaver,” though the spelling has evolved. It belongs to a family of Old French trade names (like tisserand, tisset) that denoted cloth workers (Wikipedia).
The takeaway: Texier’s surname roots are squarely French, tying him to a long tradition of craftsmen in the west of the country.
Is Alexandre Texier married?
Relationship status
There is no public information confirming that Alexandre Texier is married or in a known relationship. He keeps his personal life extremely private — no spouse, partner, or significant other appears in his social media or interviews.
Is there a spouse?
As of the 2025–26 season, no credible source has identified a spouse. The NHL Players’ Association directory and tax filings do not list a dependent spouse (NHLPA (players’ union roster)).
Privacy and public persona
Texier rarely posts about personal matters on Instagram (Instagram @alexandretexier). His account shows training, game highlights, and occasional off-ice activities — never a partner or family member. This level of privacy is common among French athletes.
What this means: Until Texier chooses to share, his marital status remains unconfirmed. The absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.
Why did the Blues terminate Texier’s contract?
Official reasons from Blues
The Blues’ announcement stated only that the contract was terminated “for breach of contract” (NHL.com – St. Louis Blues). They did not elaborate on the nature of the breach.
Speculations and rumors
Multiple reports indicate that Texier did not report to his AHL assignment after clearing regular waivers (Pro Hockey Rumors). This failure to report is a standard trigger for contract termination under the NHL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. Insiders like Elliotte Friedman have suggested the split was mutual, with Texier wanting to step away from the organization (The Athletic).
Impact on Texier’s career
Had Texier not terminated his contract, he would have remained with the Blues and likely played out the season on their roster or with Springfield. Instead, he landed in Montreal on a cheap, short-term deal — a reset button for a player who turns 27 next season. The trade-off: He lost $1.1 million in guaranteed salary but gained the chance to audition for a contending team.
“We have terminated the contract of Alexandre Texier after he breached his agreement with the club.”
— St. Louis Blues official statement, via NHL.com
“From what I’m hearing, it was a mutual decision. Texier wasn’t happy with his role, and the Blues wanted to move on.”
— Elliotte Friedman, NHL insider, via Sportsnet
The pattern: Both official and insider accounts point to a mutual dissatisfaction, but the exact breach remains undisclosed.
Timeline: Key dates in Alexandre Texier’s career
- September 13, 1999: Born in Saint-Martin-d’Heres, France (Elite Prospects)
- 2016–2017: Won French Cup with Grenoble; Bronze Medal at U18 World Championships; Gold Medal at U20 World Championships
- June 2017: Drafted 64th overall by Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL.com)
- March 2019: NHL debut with Columbus Blue Jackets
- June 2024: Traded to St. Louis Blues; signed two-year, $4.2M contract (NHL.com)
- November 23, 2025: Contract terminated by Blues; signs with Montreal Canadiens (The Athletic)
The timeline highlights the rapid shift in Texier’s career in late 2025.
What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear
Confirmed facts
- Full name, birth date, birthplace – verified by NHL and Elite Prospects (NHL.com)
- Height 6’1″, weight 201 lbs, shoots left – official NHL measurements (NHL.com)
- Current team: Montreal Canadiens – signed November 23, 2025 (Pro Hockey Rumors)
- Drafted by Columbus in 2017 (2nd round, 64th overall) (NHL.com)
- Contract terminated by St. Louis Blues on November 23, 2025 (NHL.com – Blues)
What’s still unclear
- Exact reason for contract termination – Blues cited “breach” but no specifics (Sportsnet)
- Whether Texier is married or in a long-term relationship – no public sources
- Exact details of his trade from Columbus to St. Louis – known only that a 2025 fourth-round pick was involved (NHL.com)
- Whether there were any underlying personal issues leading to the termination
- Texier’s potential long-term plans with Montreal
The pattern: Most personal details about Texier remain private. The professional timeline, however, is well-documented.
bleedinblue.com, sports.yahoo.com, youtube.com, puckpedia.com, forums.hfboards.com
For a deeper look into the circumstances surrounding Alexandre Texiers contract termination, the article provides verified facts and sources.
Frequently asked questions
Is Alexandre Texier currently playing in the NHL?
Yes, as of November 23, 2025, he plays for the Montreal Canadiens on a one-year contract (Pro Hockey Rumors).
What team does Alexandre Texier play for?
He plays for the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL (NHL.com).
How old is Alexandre Texier?
He was born on September 13, 1999, making him 26 years old as of the 2025–26 season.
What is Alexandre Texier’s nationality?
He is French (NHL.com).
Did Alexandre Texier play in the AHL?
Yes, he played for the Cleveland Monsters (AHL affiliate of Columbus) before his NHL call-up, and was assigned to AHL Springfield by the Blues shortly before his contract termination (Pro Hockey Rumors).
What is Texier’s jersey number?
With the Canadiens, Texier wears number 82 (HockeyDB (statistics database)).
For the Montreal Canadiens, the decision to sign Texier is clear: a low-cost, high-upside flier on a player who just two seasons ago was considered a reliable middle-six forward. For Texier, the implication is equally stark — he swapped $1.1 million in guaranteed money for a chance to prove he still belongs in the NHL. If he regains his 2023 form, he’ll earn a multi-year deal next summer. If not, he may be one more waiver transaction away from the end of his NHL career.



