Antoine Roussel is a French-Canadian professional ice hockey player who has had a successful career in the National Hockey League (NHL). He began his career playing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) for the Chicoutimi Saguenéens and the Montreal Juniors. In 2009, he was signed as a free agent by the Dallas Stars and played for their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Texas Stars, before making his NHL debut in 2011.
Roussel quickly established himself as a gritty, hard-working player who was not afraid to get into physical altercations on the ice. He became known for his agitating style of play and his ability to get under the skin of his opponents. Despite his reputation as a pest, Roussel was also a skilled player who could contribute offensively. He scored his first NHL goal in 2012 and went on to score 129 goals and 162 assists in 650 career NHL games.
Roussel spent the majority of his NHL career with the Dallas Stars, playing for the team from 2011 to 2018. During his time with the Stars, he was a key member of the team's penalty kill unit and was often used in a shutdown role against the opposition's top players. In 2014, he helped the Stars reach the playoffs for the first time in six years.
In 2018, Roussel signed as a free agent with the Vancouver Canucks. He continued to play his agitating style of hockey and quickly became a fan favorite in Vancouver. However, his time with the Canucks was marred by injuries. He missed significant time in both the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons due to knee injuries and was limited to just 27 games in the 2020-21 season due to COVID-19 protocols and a broken hand.
Despite his injury troubles, Roussel remained a valuable member of the Canucks' roster. He was a vocal leader in the locker room and was often praised for his work ethic and dedication to the team. In 2022, he was traded to the Arizona Coyotes, where he finished out his NHL career.
Overall, Antoine Roussel had a successful career in the NHL. He was a hard-working player who was willing to do whatever it took to help his team win. While he may have been known for his agitating style of play, he was also a skilled player who could contribute offensively. His leadership and dedication to the game will be missed by fans and teammates alike.
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