Since making his debut with the Montreal Canadiens in 2022, Arber Xhekaj‘s has made himself a fan favorite together with his bodily model of play.
Whereas it’s a component groups crave for his or her blue line, it additionally takes a toll on gamers, and Xhekaj isn’t any exception.
The 23-year-old has seen his first two seasons within the NHL minimize brief by shoulder accidents. After struggling a proper shoulder harm in 2023, his left shoulder wanted to be addressed, however as Xhekaj famous again in April, this was a very long time coming.
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“My left shoulder’s been form of bugging me all through my profession, even in junior,” Xhekaj instructed reporters on the time. “It’s at all times form of been one thing that’s bothering me, however I by no means checked it. I in all probability ought to have a very long time in the past. It simply so occurred that the appropriate one blew out final 12 months.”
Xhekaj doesn’t count on his shoulder restoration to influence his preparation for coaching camp as he continues to do rehab.
Whether or not having a number of shoulder accidents may power him to be extra cautious in how he performs, Xhekaj doesn’t assume it’ll have an effect.
“I don’t assume so. After I mounted my proper shoulder, I didn’t look again and it didn’t have an effect on my sport in any respect,” Xhekaj instructed reporters Tuesday over Zoom. “I believe, simply the way in which I performed and possibly the way in which I labored out once I was youthful, it positively took put on and tear on my shoulders and, clearly, I wanted to get them each completed. I don’t really feel any totally different and I don’t really feel apprehensive in any respect about altering my sport.”
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The Hamilton, Ont., native is now seeking to assist the Canadiens take the subsequent step. Montreal introduced Tuesday it had signed Xhekaj and Justin Barron to two-year offers, giving it a younger nucleus of defencemen and numerous competitors heading into camp.
“It’s going to be enjoyable,” Xhekaj stated. “There’s going to be numerous nice gamers we’ve got within the system, so it’s going to be enjoyable to compete for a spot each sport.”
Xhekaj’s journey to the NHL has been well-documented as a narrative with distinctive twists and turns.
He was not chosen within the OHL precedence choice draft however earned a spot with the Kitchener Rangers after enjoying within the GOJHL with the St. Catharines Falcons. He even needed to work at Costco throughout the pandemic to pay for his coaching.
Going undrafted, the Canadiens signed the defenceman to an entry-level deal and since his 2022 debut, he hasn’t seemed again.
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“It’s been a flash within the eye, I don’t even know how one can look again,” Xhekaj stated about his journey. “To already be going into my third 12 months off my entry-level deal, it’s like, ‘The place did the time go?’ Issues occur fairly quick however I’m grateful for all of the years I’ve performed and what I’ve skilled to get to the place I’m at this time.”
