The Montreal Canadiens beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1 in a shootout in their pre-season opener Monday night. However, Tuesday night, the Habs faithful got to see the Xhekaj brothers, Arber and Florian, suit up in the same jersey for the first time.
It was a special night for the Xhekaj family. Their mom, Simona Xhekaj, made sure not to miss it, sharing a picture on X of her driving into Montreal ahead of the game.
The boys have no idea 🤫
— Simona Xhekaj (@SimonaXhekaj) September 23, 2025
I wouldn’t miss it for the world 🙏❤️ pic.twitter.com/iD6wMoUx1E
A special night called for a special moment. Younger brother Florian snapped home his first of the pre-season halfway through the opening period to make it 2-0 Montreal.
Florian Xhekaj gets on the board in his Bash Bros debut with their mom in attendance 🚨 pic.twitter.com/BkGawDX5pk
— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) September 23, 2025
Florian’s offense has developed significantly. He set a franchise rookie record with the Laval Rocket in the AHL last season with 24 goals, and became the first AHL rookie since the 2013-14 season to record 20 or more goals and accumulate 150 or more penalty minutes in a single season.
Of course, like his older brother, he’s known for his physically abrasive style of play, so it wasn’t all that surprising to see him drop the gloves with NHL heavyweight Nicholas Deslauriers. Although I'm sure Mama Simona would have rather seen her son choose a lesser combatant.
Florian Xhekaj got a goal, and now he drops the gloves with Deslauriers 🥊 pic.twitter.com/7eDSVRRCG7
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) September 24, 2025
Arber also got in on the physical action in the second period, mixing it with Philadelphia Flyers forward Rodrigo Abols, but unfortunately, he took an extra roughing penalty on the altercation, and Philadelphia scored on the ensuing powerplay.
Montreal won the hockey game 4-2, with Arber sealing the game with an empty-netter. What a night for the Xhekaj family. Brothers united together in the same jersey for the first time, and both get on the scoresheet with goals.
The Xhekaj brothers are products of the OHL, and both spent time with the Bulldogs organization.
Arber spent three seasons in the league, spending most of his time with the Kitchener Rangers, recording 317 penalty minutes in 183 combined regular season and playoff games in his OHL tenure.
The Bulldogs acquired the big, rugged blueliner to aid them in their pursuit of an OHL championship during the 2021-22 season. They gave up five draft picks and forward Navrin Mutter for Arber, and it turned out to be a terrific deal. He wasn’t just a driving force defensively. He led the Bulldogs in points with 16 and plus/minus with +15 amongst their defensemen.
The 2022 OHL Final was one of the more exciting championship series the league has seen in the past five years. The Bulldogs defeated the Windsor Spitfires in Game 7 by a score of 6-1. Arber finished that game with two assists and a +4.
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Younger brother Florian played two seasons in the OHL, both with the Bulldogs organization: one during their last year in Hamilton and the other in their first year in Brantford after relocating.
In just two seasons in the league, he followed in his older brother’s footsteps, becoming an intimidating, physical threat in the league who fought and was a punishing hitter. Florian accumulated 184 penalty minutes in 143 combined regular season and playoff games. Offensively, he scored 98 points (51 goals, 47 assists).
We all know the OHL is known for its incredible development and churning out players to the NHL level. The story of the Xhekaj brothers makes it even better. Neither was ever drafted into the OHL. Arber made Kitchener's roster and Florian made the Bulldogs' roster as free agents.
They are the definition of what putting your blood, sweat, and tears into something truly means. Their journey to the NHL is a testament to what being determined truly means and why everyone should persevere through setbacks to achieve their dreams.
With how quickly Florian has been developing, don't be shocked if we see the two enforcers suit up for the Canadiens in a regular season game in the upcoming NHL season.
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