Montreal's X-Factor: How The Xhekaj Brothers Wrote NHL History
Through more than a century of NHL history, a large number of players have climbed the ranks, representing nearly every letter of the alphabet (when considering the first letter in NHL players’ surnames). Yet, until the 2022-23 season, one specific letter remained a total void in the all-time scrolls: letter “X”. That changed when the Xhekaj brothers arrived. Hailing from Hamilton, Ontario, brothers Arber Xhekaj and Florian Xhekaj have carved out a singular legacy as the only two players in NHL history to have a surname starting with “X”.
Xhekaj, Arber: The elder brother, Arber Xhekaj, who went undrafted (NHL Entry Draft), earned a contract with the Montreal Canadiens—signing as an unrestricted free agent in October 2021. When he debuted as a Canadien, he did more than just bring an “aggressive physical style”; he officially became the first NHL player to populate the “X” section in the league's historical database.
Cool Fact: Upon entering the Montreal Canadiens' summer camp, Arber Xhekaj was considered more likely to play for the Laval Rocket (AHL affiliate), but he continued to distinguish himself throughout the preseason.
Xhekaj, Florian: While Arber Xhekaj kicked the door down as an undrafted free agent, younger brother Florian Xhekaj took a more traditional route. The Montreal Canadiens selected Florian in the fourth round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. As the Canadiens were dealing with multiple personnel injuries in the early part of the 2025–26 season, Xhekaj was recalled by Montreal in November 2025, and he made his NHL debut against Toronto Maple Leafs; recording his first and only NHL point in a 5–2 win (as of March 25, 2026).
Cool Fact: By playing 5 games with Montreal (as of March 26, 2026), Florian officially joined his brother in the NHL record books; suddenly, the NHL’s “X” section wasn't just occupied; it was a family-run business.
X: A Legacy in a Letter
In the storied history of the NHL, Arber Xhekaj and Florian Xhekaj—the Xhekaj Brothers—have ensured that whenever someone searches the NHL’s “X” section of hockey history, they’ll find two names (as of March 26, 2026); brothers from Hamilton, Ontario who are both part of the Montreal Canadiens’ organization.