Xhekaj made the jump to the NHL this season following a remarkable journey that saw him grind through the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) as an undrafted prospect. He joined the Kitchener Rangers organization in 2018 on a free agent tryout and quickly made an impact as a physical presence. In October of 2021, just as the OHL season was ramping up, Xhekaj signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Canadiens. He blew the rookie camp away and was invited to the main training camp. During the 2021-22 OHL season, he was dealt to the Hamilton Bulldogs to help them on their run to the Memorial Cup. While unsuccessful, Xhekaj posted 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) in 18 games to help the Bulldogs capture the OHL championship.

The 22-year-old made his NHL debut on Oct 12, 2022, against the Toronto Maple Leafs. That night, he became the first player in NHL history to have a surname beginning with the letter X. He scored his first NHL goal against the Dallas Stars on Oct 22nd. Xhekaj made his mark on the NHL when he fought and obliterated longtime tough guy Zack Kassian in what was Xhekaj’s first NHL fight. With a number of injuries plaguing the Canadiens, losing Xhekaj puts a hole in the blue line. However, Chris Wideman will slot into the lineup.

After having one of the best World Junior Championship performances ever seen, No. 1 prospectConnor Bedard (1) kicked off his WHL return with 11 points in his first two games. He’s now up to 31 points in 11 games, with three five-plus points and three 10-plus shot efforts. With 96 points in 39 games, Bedard is in a heavy race with Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Jordan Dumais for the first to hit 100, with Dumais leading the way with 98 points in 47 games. Not only is Bedard 20 points clear of anyone else in the WHL, but he’s on pace for 140 – something no player, regardless of age, has managed to do in the 21st century. Bedard’s talent knows no bounds.