The Xhekaj Brothers: A Duo Making Moves in the NHL

In a significant development, the Montreal Canadien organization has officially welcomed a new member – Florian Xhekaj, brother of Arber Xhekaj, into its ranks.

The team announced a three-year deal with Florian, marking his entry into the NHL starting next season. The 19-year-old forward will complete the ongoing season with the Laval Rocket, where he has secured a professional tryout contract. He is set to join the team in Cleveland in the coming days.

Selected in the fourth round (101st overall) in the recent NHL draft, the younger Xhekaj has seen a substantial offensive spike this season in the Ontario Junior League. Standing tall at 6 feet 4 inches, he excelled with the Brantford Bulldogs, finishing as the team’s third-highest scorer with 65 points, including 34 goals, in 63 games. He also contributed five points in six playoff appearances.

The Bulldogs were eliminated by the Ottawa 67s last Sunday. While Xhekaj was not obliged to sign with the Canadiens immediately, the organization chose to give him an immediate opportunity to showcase his skills at the higher level. He had previously impressed during the Canadiens’ training camp last fall, despite limited playing time.

Following the official announcement, Arber Xhekaj took to Instagram to express his pride, stating, “I couldn’t be prouder of you.” In a comment under Florian’s post confirming the news, he proclaimed, “There’s a new sheriff in town.”