CH prospects round-up: Florian Xhekaj has nine points in his last six games

While the Montreal Canadiens were given a hockey lesson by the Boston Bruins, some of the CH’s various prospects stood out in their respective leagues.

Here are the performances that caught the eye this weekend, and gave hope for the future of the Montreal Canadiens.

Florian Xhekaj – Left wing – age 19

Arber’s brother is having quite a season in the OHL with the Brantford Bulldogs.

Just last weekend, I was telling you how Xhekaj was blossoming offensively, and since then, well, he’s been adding to it.

This weekend, Xhekaj picked up three goals and an assist for a total of four points in two games.

That makes nine points in his last six games.

In fact, his goal yesterday was a magnificent one.

He carried the puck from one end of the rink to the other before beating the opposing goalie with a superb, precise shot into the top corner.

Here it is.

FLO GOES END-TO-END @CanadiensMTL prospect Florian Xhekaj does it all himself!@BulldogsOHL | #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/Px1PzB8EIZ

– Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) November 19, 2023

In short, this season, Xhekaj is scoring goals in all sorts of ways, which is really encouraging for his further development.

He plays a very physical and rugged style of play, but that doesn’t stop him from producing offensively, as evidenced by his 17 points, including ten goals, in 18 games so far this season.

In short, I can’t wait to see how Xhekaj’s development continues.

It would be really great to see him play with his brother for the CH.

Filip Mesar – Right wing – 19 years old

Here’s one who’s really rising from the ashes right now.

Mesar lost a lot of feathers last season with a disappointing 51 points in 52 games in the OHL, in addition to being very ordinary at the CH training camp this year.

Many fans were very disappointed and had lost hope in him.

Well, lo and behold, the CH’s first-round pick (26ᵉ overall) in 2022 is back on track this season since being sent back to the OHL with the Kitchener Rangers.

He’s approaching two points per game, having racked up 18 points, including five goals, in ten games so far.

He picked up three points on Friday night in the Rangers’ 9-2 win over the Windsor Spitfires.

Mesar was blanked last night, however, in another Rangers victory over Windsor, this time by a score of 6-3.

In short, Mesar is on fire right now, with six points in his last three games.

If he keeps this up, he’ll really be ready to make the jump to the pros next season.

Other notable performances by CH hopefuls

NCAA :

• Jacob Fowler recorded a 31-save shutout yesterday in Boston College’s 3-0 win over the University of Connecticut. He now boasts a .926 save percentage and a 2.14 goals-against average.
• Lane Hutson had three assists in two games this weekend in Boston College’s 3-2 and 5-4 wins over the University of Maine. He now has 14 points (eight goals and six assists) in 11 games.
• Luke Tuch scored a goal last night in Boston University’s 5-4 win. He now has 13 points (five goals and eight assists) in 12 games.

OHL:

• Cedrick Guindon picked up an assist Friday in a 4-2 win for the Owen Sound Attack over the Barrie Colts. He has 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) in 21 games.

On the move

– Coming up.

– That’s a good one.

Overheard in the locker room:

“Brad, you’re too young to have a connection to that (Big Bad Bruins) era…”

Marchand “That’s sweet of you to say.”

pic.twitter.com/6aXQcgB8MK

– Bruins Daily (@BruinsDaily) November 19, 2023

– AHL hat trick for Colton Dach, Kirby’s brother.

Adding a Colton Dach hat trick to your feed @goicehogs | #RFDvsIA pic.twitter.com/eC6tZT3TKJ

– American Hockey League (@TheAHL) November 19, 2023

– So it gets worse.

– A very interesting dossier to follow.