Xhekaj Brothers Finally Share the Ice in Montreal
For the Montreal Canadiens, history was made when brothers Arber and Florian Xhekaj finally took the ice together in the same lineup. Until now, the organization had always kept the two apart, deliberately ensuring they didn’t end up playing side by side. It was said that last year at training camp, efforts were made to separate them, perhaps to test how Florian could handle himself without the presence of his older brother. But all of that changed this week, when a shift in the Canadiens’ approach allowed both Xhekaj brothers to wear the same uniform, at the same time, for the very first time.
Arber, the 24-year-old defenseman, has already built a reputation in Montreal. Known for his grit, physicality, and ability to anchor the blue line, he has become a reliable force since joining the Canadiens. Over 70 games, his combination of toughness and smart positioning has stood out, and his offseason focus on conditioning only added to his development. On the other side, his younger brother Florian, at just 21, has been carving his own path. Drafted by Montreal in 2023, he impressed in the AHL with the Laval Rocket, notching 24 goals and 11 assists in 69 games. That kind of scoring touch, paired with his hockey IQ, signaled that he was ready for the next step.
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What made this particular game even more emotional was the presence of their mother, Simona. Known already as the supportive “hockey mom” of not just one, but two NHL-caliber players, she has been deeply involved in guiding her sons’ careers. Simona often spoke about balancing their very different training goals—Arber needing to lean down for speed and agility, while Florian focused on building size and strength. Now, seeing both her sons on the same ice, in the same game, was a dream moment brought to life.
That moment became even sweeter when Florian scored his very first goal playing alongside his brother. The arena erupted, but the most powerful reaction came from the stands. Cameras caught Simona wiping away tears as she watched the puck go in, an emotional reminder of just how much dedication and sacrifice had gone into this journey. From long days of training, nutrition planning, and emotional support, to the grind of moving up through the leagues, it all led to this milestone.
For the Xhekaj brothers, sharing the ice was about more than just a lineup decision—it was about family. For the Canadiens, it was proof that both players had grown strong enough to stand on their own, and now, finally, strong enough to shine together. And for Simona, it was the ultimate reward: watching her boys chase their dreams side by side, in front of an entire city that now shares in the story.
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