Florian Xhekaj
Left Wing · Nr. 63
Canada
Age
22
Height
191 cm
Weight
85 kg
Country
Hamilton, ON, CAN
Montreal Canadiens NHL
Career
Montreal Canadiens
Laval Rocket
Biography
Florian Xhekaj (pronounced /dʒækaɪ/, jak-EYE, born June 27, 2004) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is a forward for the Laval Rocket of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to 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.
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). Collectively, Xhekaj appeared in 48 games with the Panthers, registering 17 goals and 23 assists and earned league All-Rookie team honours. Thereafter, he agreed to terms with the OHL's Hamilton Bulldogs as a free agent in July 2022.
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. Although eligible for NHL entry draft consideration in 2022, he would go overlooked until prior to his overage season in 2023, where he was selected in the fourth round (101st overall) by the Montreal Canadiens. 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.
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). Collectively, Xhekaj appeared in 48 games with the Panthers, registering 17 goals and 23 assists and earned league All-Rookie team honours. Thereafter, he agreed to terms with the OHL's Hamilton Bulldogs as a free agent in July 2022.
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. Although eligible for NHL entry draft consideration in 2022, he would go overlooked until prior to his overage season in 2023, where he was selected in the fourth round (101st overall) by the Montreal Canadiens. 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.
In English