Canadiens sign RFA defenceman Arber Xhekaj to two-year deal worth US$2.6-million

Arber Xhekaj,
Montreal Canadiens' Arber Xhekaj warms up prior to an NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Montreal, Thursday, April 4, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS IMAGES/Graham Hughes Copyrighted:

By The Canadian Press

Posted July 30, 2024 1:38 pm.

The Montreal Canadiens have signed restricted free agent defenceman Arber Xhekaj to a two-year, US$2.6-million contract, the club announced Tuesday.

The bruising blueliner played 44 games with Montreal last season, recording three goals and 10 points.

The six-foot-four, 240-pound Hamilton native led the team with 81 penalty minutes and topped all Canadiens defencemen with 125 hits.

Xhekaj has eight goals, 23 points and 182 penalty minutes in 95 career NHL games.

The 23-year-old also skated in 17 contests with the American Hockey League’s Laval Rocket in 2023-24, putting up three goals and 11 points.

Xhejak originally joined organization as an undrafted free agent when he signed an entry-level contract in October 2021.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 30, 2024.

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