The Montreal Canadiens have signed Florian Xhekaj, the younger brother of defenseman Arber Xhekaj, to a three-year entry-level contract. Xhekaj, who just turned 20 on June 27, 2024, had an impressive season with the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Brantford Bulldogs, tallying 34 goals and 65 points in 63 games, with an additional five points in six playoff games. Over his two-year OHL career, he amassed 47 goals and 90 points. With Brantford’s elimination from the playoffs, Xhekaj will join the American Hockey League (AHL) Laval Rocket for the remainder of the season.
Although Xhekaj went undrafted in his first year of NHL Draft eligibility in 2022, his performance with the Bulldogs caught the attention of the Canadiens. They selected him with the 101st overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. Described as a “unicorn” by Nick Bobrov, the co-director of amateur scouting, Xhekaj’s physicality and scoring ability made him an attractive prospect. Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 175 pounds, he possesses NHL size and excels in physical play, reminiscent of his older brother.
Florian’s signing represents Montreal’s commitment to building for the future, aiming to add size and grit to their lineup. As only the second member of the 2023 draft class to sign with the Canadiens, Xhekaj is set to join the Laval Rocket for the rest of the 2023-24 season on an amateur tryout (ATO) contract, with his entry-level deal taking effect in 2024-25. His addition provides Laval with scoring depth and physical presence during their push for a playoff spot in the AHL North Division.
