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Following a strong training camp, Arber Xhekaj joined the Montreal Canadiens in 2022 as an undrafted defenseman. He quickly established himself as a favorite among Habs fans for his physical, energetic style and willingness to defend his teammates, becoming one of the few bright spots for the rebuilding Habs in 2022-23.
Xhekaj spent the first half of last season with the Canadiens AHL affiliate in Laval to work on other aspects of his game. On July 30, the 23-year-old blueliner signed a two-year contract with an average annual value of $1.3 million.
This season has been rocky for Xhekaj so far. The Montreal Gazette’s Stu Cowan reports the 6’4