Arber Xhekaj didn’t take the conventional way to the NHL. He was ignored at the draft, he spent the pandemic working in a Costco and when the unexpected invite to the Montreal Canadiens’ rookie camp came he grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
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Yesterday, the Spittin’ Chicklets podcast released a video of the Canadiens blueliner explaining how he managed to get an entry-level contract out of camp. It’s quite the story. The Habs had decided he was going to be sent home, but when he saw his taped up spare sticks, he realized he was about to get cut and he wouldn’t have any of it.
The Sheriff made a desperate plea to Luke Richardson to get one more game and he convinced the defensemen coach, who convinced the powers that be to let him have another game. The Canadiens owe a big thank you to Richardson there. They could have missed out on a player who has a skill set they’ve been dying for for years.
Xhekaj also explains how he got to break the news to his parents in person as they had come to town to see their son play in a game against Ottawa. I can quite easily imagine him at the door of their hotel room, beaming with pride. He looked so excited in the podcast just telling the story.
While Wi-Fi (as Chris Wideman started calling him because his last name just looked like a Wi-Fi password) has not yet booked a long-term spot on this young Canadiens team, it’s safe to say that there’s more than just his family rooting for him.
Related: Canadiens: What to Expect From Arber Xhekaj
Soon, fans will be treated to another dose of Xhekaj when Arber’s little brother Florian (drafted 101st-overall in the fourth round of the 2023 draft by the Habs) makes the jump to pro hockey from the CHL. He did play in three games with the Laval Rocket last season, but that was just an introduction and the whole family must be looking forward to a whole new chapter.
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