Arber Xhekaj

Arber Xhekaj (, pronounced, , 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.

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.

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 complex surname being 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.

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.