In reference to his brother’s moniker, “The Sheriff,” 6-foot-4, 190-pound left winger Florian Xhekaj, also known as “The Deputy,” has gained notoriety in the NHL. After a stellar season with the Brantford Bulldogs, where he scored an incredible 65 points in 63 games, he recently inked a three-year contract with the Montreal Canadiens.

It has been an incredible trip for Xhekaj to go from the Brantford Bulldogs to the Montreal Canadiens. He was chosen by the Canadiens in the fourth round (2023 NHL Draft, 101st overall), and he has made a quick and impressive transition to the professional ranks.

In order to demonstrate his abilities with the Laval Rocket for the balance of the 2023–24 season before formally joining the Canadiens, Xhekaj’s contract includes a professional tryout. The youthful winger will get the opportunity to adjust to professional hockey and make the move to the NHL with this opportunity.

Fans are excited to see “The Deputy” and his impact on the Canadiens forward lineup as he gets ready to don the team’s uniform. With his powerful presence, quickness, and ability to score goals, Xhekaj looks to be a valuable asset to the Canadiens’ offensive approach.

Even though his brother was going to have shoulder surgery, there was encouraging news that he should be well enough to play next season, which meant there would be a chance for the two siblings to play together later in the year.

Fans of the Habs, who are eager for Florian to make his Canadiens debut, are even more excited about this development. Excitement is only increased by the possibility of seeing him next to other young players projected to join the club in the future, like David Reinbacher, Lane Hutson, and Jacob Fowler. Watch this space as the future of the Canadiens develops with these up-and-coming players.