Arber Xhekaj’s inspiring journey

Xhekaj was overlooked in the Ontario Junior Hockey League draft, so the Kitchener Rangers decided to give him a chance when he was 17, for the 2017-2018 season. He played a total of 128 games with them, amassing 37 points, in addition to building his identity as a rugged player.

In 2021, after two years of being overlooked at the NHL draft, the Canadiens invited young Xhekaj to their rookie and main camp. Against all odds, he was offered an NHL entry-level contract, joining his childhood team.

The Hamilton Bulldogs sought Xhekaj’s services, via a trade, in order to make their way into the playoffs. The result? They won the championship that year, thanks in part to Xhekaj’s colossal play.

His nickname “The Sheriff” dates back to junior, when Xhekaj was a terror to his opponents. Thanks to his physical game, generous frame and fighting prowess, he became, in the eyes of many, the most monstrous player in the entire Canadian Hockey League.

In his second camp with the Tricolore, we saw what Arber Xhekaj was capable of, as he roughed up Mark Kastelic, a former Ottawa Senators matamore, in a preseason game.

During the OHL’s pandemic break in 2020-2021, Xhekaj was employed at a Hamilton Costco to earn money. In the fall of 2022, he played his first NHL game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, after forcing the hand of management during training camp.

Considering the hype surrounding Xhekaj, a number of strongmen took a swipe at him, including veteran Zack Kassian. He quickly regretted it, as you can see here… Kassian was never the same after that.

On October 22, 2022, Xhekaj scored his first NHL goal at the Bell Centre against the Dallas Stars. With his rocky career path, this first NHL goal was proof that anything is possible in life, if you work hard and believe in yourself.

From his first official skate with the Sainte-Flanelle, the Montreal crowd rallied behind Xhekaj, making him the most popular local fan.

If Arber Xhekaj is around, Kaiden Guhle and Juraj Slafkovsky are never far away either, these three being very good friends in life. The fact that they started their respective careers at the same time surely helped them to bond quickly.

It soon became apparent that the 72 had quite developed taste in fashion for a kid of his age. He often sports his famous Peaky Blinders-style hat or cap to accompany his high-end suits.

With his barbaric style, the risk of injury is quite high. following an intense fight with Quebec’s Vincent Desharnais, Xhekaj had to go under the knife to repair his damaged right shoulder.

In addition to being an intriguing hockey player, Xhekaj, now 23, is a person who preaches a great deal of respect, especially with the media. He’s generous with his time with journalists and fans alike, and his charisma stands out from the crowd.

When Martin St-Louis decides to send Xhekaj into the fray, he knows what to expect. Xhekaj is an eternal protector of his teammates, making the Habs more difficult to face, as we saw when Patrik Laine was injured in a preparatory game, after a knee blow from Cédric Paré. At your own risk…