In a league full of young stars, Alexandre Texier is showing he wants to shine bright with the rest of 'em.
ESPN came out with their rankings last week of the top rookies to play in the NHL's postseason bubble, and with ten players making the cut, Columbus Blue Jackets forward Texier found his name in the mix.
Ranked ten out of ten, here's what staff writer Chris Peters had to say about the budding 21-year-old forward:
He didn't put up big numbers, but Texier was everywhere for Columbus and played solid minutes. He was a good two-way presence, showcasing great puck skills and getting after pucks on the forecheck. He finished the postseason with three assists and made a great case for himself to play an even bigger role with the Jackets next season.
Texier had a fair postseason in regards to points, but his overall presence is really what aggravated his opponents. His speed and hockey IQ allowed him to get to the right spots quicker than most defenders, and he often proved a thorn in the side of other team's stars. It's rare you see someone with this much talent be a bit of an agitator, but Texier isn't (or wasn't) your normal rookie.
Nikita Kucherov, the intimidating force that he is, trying to get under the skin of Alexandre Texier early in Game 5. #CBJ
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) August 19, 2020
Even without scoring a goal, Texier was still tied for fifth on his club in points this past postseason and was fourth amongst all forwards in ice time. He has the trust of his coach and his teammates, and it's setting the stage for a big year next year for the kid from France.
