Florian Xhekaj

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Florian Xhekaj
Florian Xhekaj.jpg
Xhekaj in an interview in 2025
Born (2004-06-27) June 27, 2004 (age 21)
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight 205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
Position Forward
Shoots Left
NHL team Montreal Canadiens
NHL draft 101st overall, 2023
Montreal Canadiens
Playing career 2024–present

Florian Xhekaj (pronounced /dʒækaɪ/ , jak-EYE, [1] born June 27, 2004) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is a forward for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the fourth round, 101st overall, by the Canadiens in the 2023 NHL entry draft.

Contents

Playing career

Junior

Initially being passed over in the annual Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Selection draft, Xhekaj began his junior hockey career with the Pelham Panthers of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL). [2] Collectively, Xhekaj appeared in 48 games with the Panthers, registering 17 goals and 23 assists and earned league All-Rookie team honours. [3] Thereafter, he agreed to terms with the OHL's Hamilton Bulldogs as a free agent in July 2022. [4]

Over the course of his rookie OHL campaign, Xhekaj provided both physical and scoring prowess, collecting 25 points and 76 penalty minutes in 68 games for the Bulldogs. [5] Although eligible for NHL entry draft consideration in 2022, he would go overlooked until prior to his overage season in 2023, [6] where he was selected in the fourth round (101st overall) by the Montreal Canadiens. [7] In the ensuing 2023–24 season, Xhekaj experienced a breakout campaign, producing at over a point per game average and ultimately earned an entry-level contract with the Canadiens for his efforts. [8]

Professional

After joining the team's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate Laval Rocket under an amateur tryout (ATO) for the remainder of the 2023–24 season, [9] Xhekaj returned to the AHL ranks the following season, where he finished first amongst Rocket rookies in scoring, including a franchise record for goals with 17. [10]

With the Canadiens experiencing multiple personnel injuries in the early stages of the 2025–26 season, [11] Xhekaj was recalled by Montreal on November 21, 2025. [12] The following day, he made his NHL debut in a matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs, recording his first career NHL point in a 5–2 win. [13]

Personal life

Xhekaj's father, Jack, is Albanian from Drenas, Kosovo, and his mother, Simona, is from Hradec Králové, Czech Republic. [14] [15] [16] Both left their native countries in the 1990s amongst political conflict, and first met at a hotel in Hamilton. [17] [18]

He is the younger brother of fellow Canadiens player Arber Xhekaj. [19]

Career statistics

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2021–22 Pelham Panthers GOJHL 481723406231122
2022–23 Hamilton Bulldogs OHL 6813122576612318
2023–24 Brantford Bulldogs OHL633431658163259
2023–24 Laval Rocket AHL 30000–––––
2024–25 Laval RocketAHL692411351751312359
AHL totals722411351751312359

Awards and honours

AwardYearRef
GOJHL
All-Rookie Team2022 [3]

References

  1. ↑ Radley, Scott (January 21, 2022). "You may not know how to pronounce Xhekaj now. But you will". The Hamilton Spectator . Retrieved April 27, 2025.
  2. ↑ Potrecz, Bill (October 13, 2021). "Hard work pays off for Panthers forward". BP Sports Niagara. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  3. 1 2 "Announcing the 2021-22 Golden Horseshoe Conference All-Stars & All-Rookie Team". Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. May 5, 2022. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Hamilton Bulldogs Sign Florian Xhekaj". Hamilton Bulldogs. July 15, 2022. Retrieved November 23, 2025– via CHL.ca.
  5. ↑ DeRosa, Michael (August 4, 2025). "Canadiens Fascinating Prospect Can't Be Ignored". The Hockey News . Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  6. ↑ Book, Jared (September 17, 2025). "The evolution of Florian Xhekaj". SB Nation . Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  7. ↑ Milner, Evan (June 29, 2023). "Recap: 2023 NHL Draft - Day 2". Montreal Canadiens. Retrieved November 23, 2025– via NHL.com.
  8. ↑ "Three-year, entry-level contract for Florian Xhekaj". Montreal Canadiens. April 9, 2024. Retrieved November 23, 2025– via NHL.com.
  9. ↑ Wood, Joelle (April 9, 2024). "Bulldogs' Xhekaj signs with Canadiens". Ontario Hockey League. Retrieved November 23, 2025– via CHL.ca.
  10. ↑ Yep, Megan (July 14, 2025). "Flo-Time in Montreal: Florian Xhekaj". FanSided . Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  11. ↑ Engels, Eric (November 14, 2025). "Long-term injuries to Newhook, Guhle an added layer of adversity for Canadiens". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Florian Xhekaj recalled from Laval Rocket". Montreal Canadiens. November 21, 2025. Retrieved November 23, 2025– via NHL.com.
  13. ↑ Zurkowsky, Herb (November 23, 2025). "Hidden Game: Florian Xhekaj brings energy to Canadiens in NHL debut against Leafs". Montreal Gazette . Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  14. ↑ Pnishi, Shani (January 14, 2022). "Arbër Xhekaj, ylli i ri shqiptar i hokeit në Kanada". Albanian Montreal Press (in Albanian). Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  15. ↑ Sager, Nathan (October 11, 2022). "Hamilton native Xhekaj makes Montreal Canadiens' opening night NHL roster". INsauga.com. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  16. ↑ Rexhepi, Arta. "Xhekaj family: from a harrowing journey to Canada to raising hockey stars". 25 @ 25. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  17. ↑ Cowan, Stu (February 18, 2024). "Canadiens' Arber Xhekaj makes his father proud". Montreal Gazette . Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  18. ↑ Brown, Josh (December 27, 2021). "The evolution of Arber Xhekaj". Waterloo Region Record . Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  19. ↑ Hains, Karine (July 5, 2024). "Xhekaj Take Two". The Hockey News . Retrieved November 23, 2025.
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