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Arber Xhekaj (Albanian: Arbër Xhekaj, pronounced /dʒækaɪ/, jak-EYE, born January 30, 2001) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). Originally undrafted by teams in the NHL, he signed as an unrestricted free agent with Montreal in October 2021.

Playing career

Amateur

While playing minor hockey with the Hamilton Huskies of Alliance Hockey, Xhekaj was known for having a comparatively slight frame, and, as a result, was not selected in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) 2017 Priority Selection draft. He was one of only two eligible players on his team who were not drafted, which he called "pretty tough." Despite contemplating ending his hockey career, he was encouraged to continue by his parents.

Junior

During his time with the St. Catharines Falcons of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL), Xhekaj drew the interest of the Kitchener Rangers scouting staff. Although not drafted in his second year of eligibility, Xhekaj earned an invitation to the Rangers' training camp in 2018. He made the roster and played two seasons in the OHL before the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled the 2020–21 season.

Following non-selection in both the 2020 and 2021 NHL drafts, Xhekaj received a training camp invitation from the Montreal Canadiens before the 2021–22 NHL season. Xhekaj's performance impressed team management, and he signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Canadiens on October 4, 2021, as an undrafted free agent.

Xhekaj remained with the Rangers at the beginning of the 2021–22 season, acquiring a reputation as a dangerous defenceman who was described by The Hockey News as having "effectively blended the old-school enforcer with the modern-day defensive blueliner." He was suspended twice in the fall, once for a slew foot and once for a gesture made after a fight. Amongst his teammates, he was known as "the Sheriff." Midway through the year, Xhekaj was traded to his hometown-based Hamilton Bulldogs. Joining a highly touted Bulldogs team, Xhekaj participated in their J. Ross Robertson Cup victory in the 2022 OHL playoffs and played in that year's Memorial Cup. The Bulldogs advanced to the Memorial Cup final, losing to host Saint John Sea Dogs. Xhekaj was named to the Memorial Cup All-Star Team for the tournament.

Professional

Upon entering the Canadiens' summer training, Xhekaj was initially considered more likely to earn a regular place on American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Laval Rocket, but continued to distinguish himself in rookie tournament and preseason play. In the preseason, his aggressive physical style attracted attention from opposing teams' fans, notably the Ottawa Senators. In response, he stated, "when their whole Sens Nation is talking about me, it's pretty good. I like being the bad guy."

With injuries to veteran Canadiens left defencemen Mike Matheson and Joel Edmundson, additional openings were created for rookies to make the lineup. On October 10, 2022, it was confirmed that Xhekaj had made the Canadiens' opening night roster for the 2022–23 regular season. Upon making his NHL debut on October 12, Xhekaj became the first player in NHL history to have a surname beginning with the letter X. He picked up his first NHL point, an assist, in an October 15 game versus the Washington Capitals. Xhekaj drew further headlines for winning his first fight in the NHL against Arizona Coyotes forward Zack Kassian, one of the league's more noted pugilists. Xhekaj scored his first NHL goal in a 5–2 loss to the Dallas Stars on October 22, also recording an assist in the same game. Xhekaj earned the nickname "Wi-Fi" from his teammates due to his Albanian surname being perceived as similar to an internet router's default password. Xhekaj's debut season came to an end when he sustained a season-ending shoulder injury on February 12, 2023. In 51 games with the Canadiens, he recorded five goals and eight assists, and led the team in penalty minutes with 101.

Resuming play to start the 2023–24 season, Xhekaj once again sustained an upper-body injury on November 17, 2023, and missed seven games. Upon his reactivation from the injured reserve list at the beginning of December 2023, the Canadiens assigned him to the Rocket for part of the 2023–24 AHL season. He was initially tasked with working on his defensive play while with the Rocket. He was soon paired with rookie defenceman Logan Mailloux, and played a key role in the Rocket's surge up the league standings. After playing 17 games in the AHL, recording three goals and eight assists in the process, Xhekaj was recalled to the Canadiens on January 22, 2024. On April 9, it was announced that Xhekaj would undergo season-ending surgery due to injury sustained in a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on April 4. In 44 games with the Canadiens, he recorded three goals and seven assists, and likewise appeared in 17 AHL games with the Rocket, recording three goals and eight assists.

As a restricted free agent following season's end, Xhekaj was tenured a qualifying offer by the Canadiens on June 30, 2024. On July 30, he signed a two-year, $2.6 million contract extension.

Personal life

Xhekaj is of Albanian and Czech descent. His father, Jack, is from Kosovo, and his mother, Simona, is from Hradec Králové, Czech Republic. Both left their native countries in the 1990s amongst political conflict, and first met at a hotel in Hamilton. Xhekaj has a younger brother, Florian, who plays for the Laval Rocket, and was selected 101st overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2023 NHL entry draft.

Following the cancellation of the 2020–21 OHL season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Xhekaj worked at a Costco in the Hamilton area.

Career statistics

Awards and honours

References

1. ^ Pnishi, Shani (January 14, 2022). "Arbër Xhekaj, ylli i ri shqiptar i hokeit në Kanada". Albanian Montreal Press (in Albanian). Retrieved October 22, 2022.
2. ^ Radley, Scott (January 21, 2022). "You may not know how to pronounce Xhekaj now. But you will". The Hamilton Spectator.
3. ^ Wheeler, Scott (June 27, 2022). "'He's a monster out there': Meet Arber Xhekaj, the Canadiens' scariest prospect". The Athletic.
4. "Three-year contract for defenseman Arber Xhekaj". Montreal Canadiens. October 4, 2021. Retrieved October 13, 2022 – via NHL.com.
5. ^ Ferrari, Tony (October 7, 2022). "Canadiens' Arber Xhekaj brings his 'bad guy' attitude to the pros". The Hockey News.
6. Cowan, Stu (October 12, 2022). "There's a new Sheriff in town for the Canadiens". Montreal Gazette.
7. Sweetland, Josh (June 29, 2022). "Saint John Sea Dogs crowned Champions of 2022 Memorial Cup". CHL.ca. Ontario Hockey League.
8. ^ Hickey, Pat (September 19, 2022). "Canadiens prospect Arber Xhekaj's physical play gets under skin of young Senators". Montreal Gazette.
9. Engels, Eric (September 28, 2022). "Canadiens' Arber Xhekaj jumping ahead in race to earn a job on blue line". Sportsnet.ca.
10. "Slafkovsky, Guhle, Xhekaj make Canadiens roster to open season". Sportsnet.ca. October 10, 2022. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
11. National Hockey League (October 12, 2022). "X-MAN ❌ Arber Xhekaj is the first player whose surname begins with the letter "X" to appear in an NHL game!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
12. "Oshie, Capitals beat Canadiens for first win of the season". Sportsnet.ca. October 15, 2022. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
13. Cowan, Stu (October 21, 2022). "Canadiens' Arber Xhekaj delivers message after beating up Zack Kassian". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
14. "Pavelski nets hat trick as visiting Stars sink Canadiens". Sportsnet.ca. October 22, 2022. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
15. O'Leary, Dan (October 23, 2022). "Canadiens' Xhekaj has outstanding nickname, hardly alone in NHL". NHL.com. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
16. "Habs D Xhekaj (shoulder) to have season-ending surgery; F Dach (LBI) out indefinitely". TSN.ca. February 25, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
17. "Canadiens activate defenceman Arber Xhekaj off IR, loan him to AHL Laval". Sportsnet.ca. December 4, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
18. Lamarche, Michel (December 10, 2023). "Arber Xhekaj shows improvement in first week with Laval Rocket". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
19. Galanopoulos, Chris (December 24, 2023). "Canadiens Arber Xhekaj is Making a Difference in Laval". The Hockey News. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
20. "Canadiens recall defenceman Arber Xhekaj from AHL". Sportsnet.ca. January 22, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
21. "Canadiens' Arber Xhekaj to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery, Guhle returns to practice". Sportsnet.ca. April 9, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
22. "Xhekaj to have surgery, out for season". Montreal Canadiens. April 9, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024 – via NHL.com.
23. "Canadiens submit qualifying offers to two players". Montreal Canadiens. June 30, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024 – via NHL.com.
24. "Two-year contract for Arber Xhekaj". Montreal Canadiens. July 30, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024 – via NHL.com.
25. ^ Sager, Nathan (October 11, 2022). "Hamilton native Xhekaj makes Montreal Canadiens' opening night NHL roster". INsauga.com. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
26. Cowan, Stu (February 18, 2024). "Canadiens' Arber Xhekaj makes his father proud". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
27. Brown, Josh (December 27, 2021). "The evolution of Arber Xhekaj". Waterloo Region Record. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
28. "Three-year, entry-level contract for Florian Xhekaj". Montreal Canadiens. April 9, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024 – via NHL.com.
29. Sweetland, Josh (June 16, 2022). "June 15/22 – OHL Championship Post-Game – Arber Xhekaj". CHL.ca. Ontario Hockey League. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
30. "OHL Announces 2021-22 All-Star and All-Rookie Teams". CHL.ca. Brantford Bulldogs. June 21, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
31. Sweetland, Josh (June 29, 2022). "Saint John Sea Dogs crowned Champions of 2022 Memorial Cup Presented by Kia". CHL.ca. Ontario Hockey League. Retrieved August 22, 2024.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database

• 2001 births
• Living people
• Canadian people of Albanian descent
• Canadian people of Czech descent
• Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL) players
• Ice hockey people from Hamilton, Ontario
• Kitchener Rangers players
• Laval Rocket players
• Montreal Canadiens players
• Undrafted National Hockey League players