When the Canadiens picked Florian Xhekaj with the 101st pick in the 2023 draft, they didn’t anticipate him becoming a prolific goal-scorer.
Xhekaj had only netted 13 goals in 68 OHL games before the draft. However, things changed dramatically during his final season with the Brantford Bulldogs, where he scored 34 goals and added 31 assists in 63 games, sparking excitement among Canadiens fans.
While Xhekaj may never become a star NHL player, his newfound scoring ability adds to the strengths that prompted Montreal to draft him. Canadiens Director of Player Development, Rob Ramage, expressed his surprise to Stu Cowan of the Montreal Gazette about Xhekaj’s scoring surge in 2023-24.
Ramage and his team were also impressed by Xhekaj’s strong instincts and responsibility on the ice, attributes they noticed while watching him in the OHL last season. Initially, Xhekaj was drafted for his physical presence, standing 6 feet 4 inches tall.
Ramage believes Xhekaj still has significant potential and will continue to develop in the coming years. For Xhekaj, his scoring success this season wasn’t unexpected; he credits his talent and good shooting, along with being paired with skilled teammates and having more opportunities, for his 34 goals.
Xhekaj aims to play for the Laval Rocket next season and feels ready to move on from junior hockey. He’ll have a chance to showcase his abilities at the Canadiens’ next training camp, hoping to impress as his brother did.
He made a strong impression at the recent development camp and, if he continues this momentum, could secure a spot with the Laval Rocket next season.
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