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Arber Xhekaj

Born:Jan 30, 2001Draft: Undrafted
Hometown:Hamilton, ON, CANPosition:Defense
Known For:OHL Champion (2022)Shoots:Left
National Team:Canada/CzechiaCurrent Team:Montreal Canadiens

Arber Xhekaj (born January 30, 2001) is a Canadian ice hockey player currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens. He began his major junior run with the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), recording two goals and one assist in 59 games. Those numbers jumped to 17 points in 51 games the following year, improving his plus-minus from minus-28 to plus-26. Xhekaj went undrafted at the NHL level, but was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract by then general manager Marc Bergevin.

Arber Xhekaj Montreal Canadiens
Arber Xhekaj, Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Francois Lacasse/NHLI via Getty Images)

After missing the entire 2020-21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Xhekaj signed with the Canadiens as an undrafted free agent. He returned to Kitchener the following year and got off to his best start to date, recording 17 points in 18 games before he was sent to the Hamilton Bulldogs. There, he added an additional 17 points in 33 games before helping the Bulldogs win the OHL Championship while recording 16 points in 18 games.

Arber Xhekaj Statistics

Deeper Dive

Achievements

  • CHL Memorial Cup All-Star Team (2022)
  • OHL Champion (2022)
  • OHL Most Penalized Player (138) (2022)
  • OHL Third All-Star Team (2022)

Sources