Florian Xhekaj, a determined forward for the Laval Rocket, was in for a surprise as he tried to catch some sleep before a game against the Belleville Senators in the American Hockey League. Rather than resting for the match, he received a call informing him that he would be making his NHL debut for the Montreal Canadiens the next day, playing alongside his older brother Arber Xhekaj in a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Excited by the unexpected opportunity, Florian shared, “I got a few calls, but I was tired. I was trying to sleep, so I was just ignoring them. Then I looked and it was my coach (Pascal Vincent) and he just called me and said, ‘You’re going up and you’re going to play your first game against the Leafs at the Bell Centre,’ so it was a pretty cool moment.”
He quickly contacted his mother, Simona, who had flown to Montreal with their father, Jack, and sisters to support him. Meanwhile, Arber sent him a motivating text message saying, “let’s go!”
Standing at six-foot-four and weighing 204 pounds, Florian Xhekaj, known for his tenacity like his brother, brings a tough edge to the Canadiens’ roster. The 21-year-old from Hamilton had an impressive season with the Rocket, scoring 24 goals and providing 11 assists in 69 games in 2024-25. This year, he has already tallied two goals, two assists, and 44 penalty minutes in 16 AHL games.
During the team’s morning skate, Xhekaj skated alongside Josh Anderson and Jake Evans, while Joshua Roy was an extra on the ice. Evans, who had previously suffered concussions, returned to practice after taking a hard hit in a recent game. He emphasized the importance of ensuring his well-being and being cautious when it comes to head injuries.
The Canadiens, facing a five-game losing streak, are hoping to turn things around, with goalies Sam Montembeault and Jakub Dobes having struggled with a league-low .838 combined save percentage since November 1. Dobes, who is slated to start in the upcoming game against the Maple Leafs, will have his hands full against Toronto, who are missing key players like Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies due to lower-body injuries.
Keyphrase: NHL debut Canadiens Toronto Maple Leafs
