Arber Xhekaj's unlikely road to the NHL is about more than just not being drafted. The Habs rookie learned about fighting for opportunities from his parents' unbelievable journey. Elliotte Friedman sits down with all three to get the whole story.
This one is a must-see.
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#NHL #Canadiens #Habs #Montreal #MontrealCanadiens #Hockey
His dad is one of the hardest working guys at my work, salt of the earth would do anything for his kid. Pleasure to call him my friend
Best story of the year. Congratulations to Arber.
Aww!!❤️
He must be so proud of his son , What he been through , leaving ussr and wars , started a brand new life with nothing in his pocket in canada , and now his son play in the NHL for one of the most legendary Hockey team ever
Love to read this ❤
Montréal is the Best place to play jack keep the good work
He's quickly become one of my favorite players in the league. Love his attitude, effort, toughness & skill. Knowing where he came from makes him even better. We need more of these types of players.
and more of these mini documentaries about these players.
Well said
From junior b to the NHL, what's there not to love?
Agreed life long Montreal resident and habs fan, me and my boys love to see this guy on the ice.
By far my favorite player on the habs, this guy breathes passion. His fight last night where he tapped the logo and honoured the habs fans!!!!! Gotta love this kid, He's the perfect example of what this team needs to be win our next cup.
He's the toughest rookie in the NHL and is going to get better. I wonder what his ceiling is. I haven't seen a habs player with so much passion since Gally, PK, and Saku. You can tell he loves being a hab, while many players just tolerate the team that drafted them until they can find the right fit. He fits like a glove.
best rookie defence player in terms of goals this year, kciks absolute ass too
That was awesome when he tapped the logo awesome 👌
Hard to not have chills while watching this. Hopefully he has a successful career because he's fun to watch
Definitely one of the best rookies of the year.
MTL👊👊👊
What's even better is that he seems like such a genuinely good person. Good on him, he deserves all he's getting.
How can anyone dislike this kid? What an awesome story. What an incredibly strong and resilient family. I hope Arber has a long and successful career.
Be on the receiving end of his fists
Sens and Leafs fans sure can dislike him.
@@AceMatthew25414 ok good for them
I love this kid, even though I’m a Bruins fan. That’ll probably change after he runs Pasternak the first time lol.
@@AceMatthew25414 Not sure why Leafs fans hate him. He hasn’t beaten up any of their players yet! lol
Grew up and played hockey with arber growing up.. He's such a classy dude... Believe it or not, he was such a humble dude, which is rare in pro-junior hockey... So proud of this guy, love ya arby
Believe it or not? From what I've seen in interviews, I see a well grounded down to earth guy. Then in this vid, when he made the team he said to his parents "WE did it!" ...says a lot right there.
@Ursa Major I'm pretty sure he meant that most junior players have massive egos but arber was an exception...
@@Bline-ip6et I’ve met a few junior players and they’re extremely cocky and egotistical, and to a certain extent you have to be, to pave your way. But Arber’s was such an awesome dude
Dude's gonna be a rockstar with the Habs for a LONG time. 🐐
love the content brother!
@@domlalonde7111 Thanks dom!!
this is a true success story..not drafted in CHL or NHL and made it on one of the most storied teams in NHL history and to have the success he has is amazing.. he deserves all he has achieved and best of luck in the future but I do not think he needs luck as he has worked hard for all he has done so far and the future is bright.
What a great story. Nothing but respect for that entire family. This kids gonna be a fan favourite for many years.
Love your channel bro !
The junkie
Arber and his family deserve everything good for them
Love that he says to his family, “We did it.” After making the team.
If I ever buy a canadians jersey, It'll be a Xhekaj jersey. My dad is also Albanian and chose to came to Canada with nothing and start a new life. It's time's like these where you appreciate all you're parents have done for you. Incredible story.
Go now, i'd be proud if I were you, i'm proud anyway
Best sports story ever. Should win a journalism award. A+
When Montréal signed him i was so hyped, watched every shift by shift with the rangers and the bulldogs as he dominated and wrecked fools left and right. He's such a beauty protect the protector at all cost.
I did too lol, when i saw him play in the juniors, i knew he would make the NHL.
I was going to thumbs up but it was at 76 and I didn't have the heart to. PK was my boy. Now it's Arber.
The most exiting youngster in NHL right now!
Man, I can't really put into words how amazed I am. This is like a story from a movie. I have much more respect for the kid and for his parents. Wishing all the best!
No matter who your team is, I cannot see how anyone cannot like this kid and especially his story. Kudos to Sportsnet for this doc.
It is apparent Arber is a quick learner. Playing defense in the NHL is the toughest position for anyone to learn. For him to do it out of the starting gate and his upward progression shows how smart he is. And did I mention Tough too! I got a bit misty eyed on this story, and rightfully so.
After yesterday’s game, this is exactly what I was looking for! Arber Xhekaj and his family are truly inspiring and resilient. I hope he stays for a long time. Thank you @Sportsnet for that video.
I love this video. Very proud of you Arber. Glad to have had a chance to coach you. Unbelievable.
If you're a Habs fan like I am you had to love the sight of him grabbing the CH logo on his jersey after fighting Lowry last night. What a great story.
What a great story. Congrats to Xhekaj for all his perseverance and hard work. Kudos to his family for their constant support and commitment to help make Arber's dream come true. Well done Sportsnet. We need more stories like this. Go Habs Go!!
Xhekaj has become my favourite player on the Habs. So much energy and talent, I hope he sticks around for a long time.
Happy to see the family of Arber Xhekaj Succeeded in NHL, As Albanian Canadian Very happy to see that.
He is already an important piece of the reconstruction, being included in the list of untouchables on this team along with Caufield, Suzuki and Guhle.. Arber Xhekaj is giving everything he has for the team, and everyone is noticing. Definitely easy to foresee a brilliant career for this young man! And he is just getting started.. 🙌
This guy has his heart in the right place, an inspiration for today's generation. A real beating thank you Wifi!
Thanks, Elliot for this!! You are the best sportscaster in Canada!!!!!
This is hands down one of the best hockey stories if not the best
Wow I didn't know his parents backstory until now, very incredible! Go habs go!
Fr that was crazy
I had no idea who he was until we first played the Habs this season, kept hearing Jackeye this and Jackeye that lol, I like who TF is this kid. Dude is a beast and great story, even went toe to toe with Lowry and arguably won. Imagine when this kid hits his prime oooof.
I love Arber! So much respect for him ❤️
Not a Xhekaj fan before. Now my favorite player. The interview on the pod was excellent. If you believe you can achieve.
Proud of his Czech mother she is strong woman that gave him everything to reach his dreams. same for his father. Im from Czech.
he should play for cz
I'm not crying, you're crying 😭 Well done Sportsnet, love this.
Ducks fan here and much respect! I cannot hate this kid lol. Always love hearing the rags to riches stories and how a kid no one knew about gets an opportunity and shines!
Who's cutting onions in here ? As a Montrealer, I was already a fan of his but, now, I really want his jersey !
Let's get a bulk order going, Arber jersey sales about to 📈
Whether you're a Montreal Canadiens fan or not you can't help but root for this player. The road his parents had to make individually and then have a child with the values of hard work, determination and will to keep trying even though he wasn't drafted at all to finally make it to the premiere hockey league in the world is amazing. His reputation of a tough guy is true but his skill as a player is underrated. His skating is average but his shot, his patience and his presence on the ice makes every team want a player like Xhejki. Oh and yeah can he fight!!
Leafs fan here and i LOVE this guy. He so quickly became one of my favourite players! Looking forward to seeing more and more of him. Such a beautiful and amazing story. WE LOVE YOU ARBER! 💙💙
Stories like this rise above the rivalries for sure. Ya love to see it. ❤
hes probably one of the most down to earth guys , such a great opportunity to get to watch him play and grow!
The kid is Awsome but MAN, what a family!! They don't make parents like this anymore, that's for sure! This lady is tough as nails, God bless, you all worked so hard you deserve it.
Becoming a parent a couple years ago has made me soft, tearing up. Hope this kid makes a fortune. Hate the Habs but love this kid!
I saw some deficiencies in his game early on. If I could see them, obviously the coaching staff did as well. I don't see those flaws anymore. This young man just keeps getting better as the season moves on. All credit to him and keep up the hard work.
I had a "lump in my throat" watching this. He comes from a hard working family of strength and determination, that with a little help from some good people made it to Canada. His parents, escaping turmoil and adversity of their home countries. Not knowing much of anything about Arber during the pre-season/rookie games, I took notice and thought to myself this guy is going to make the team. The Guhle hype, the #1 pick Slaf hype...and to me, Xhekaj was the "stand out". He'll only get better too. Great signing by Habs management. Xhekaj earned it, with support and example from his family.
If I'd play hockey at a professionnal level, I'd want to play like Xhekaj. He will inspire a whole generation of strongmen on skates in Québec and I couldn't be happier for a good person like this guy to reach the superstar status. This is the kind of story that makes you involved in the outcome of a team.
My favorite player on the Habs. He exemplifies what it means to be a Hab. All heart and passion. Rock on Wifi!
This story touched me very much. my mother came from the same place and to see that they succeed is heart warming...
Making a grown man cry lol thank you Sportsnet I'll forever be rooting for you Arber!
That legit brought tears to my eyes. Proud to be Arber’s fan: he is an exciting player to watch, fully intense in his game. Just wow!
What a story! What a stud. Blessed to have him on MTL!
How could you not love this guy & his family! Awesome story 🌟
🎯
Amazing family shows how he got so far!
Watching this made so emotinal 🥺 wish him and his family nothing but the best. They deserve the world 🙌
it's hard to not love this guy. as a habs fan i got chill when he tapped the canadiens logo at yesterday' game, and knowing his story just makes me more amazed. hope he has a bright future. Love you Arber !
He will forever be my favourite Kitchener Ranger. I’m so grateful I got to see him play game in game out. What a beautiful story, and very inspirational, brings tears to my eyes.
Once a Ranger, always a Ranger. We love you Arber!
This kid is amazing and so happy to have him on the Habs roster
Awesome player, great story! Wish Arber and family the very best!
Now that's a story worth telling!!! ❤ Makes you warm and fuzzy inside...
If he wasn’t already one of my favourite players, he now is for sure. Much respect for the Xhekaj family!! 💪🏻
His ascension to the NHL is a great feel good story. I hope to accidentally run into him one day so I can shake his hand and tell him that his story is an inspiration for all young kids. Well done Arber. Continue working hard so one day you'll sign that lucrative LT NHL contract and be in a position to have your parents retire. That's every young hockey player's dream along with winning the Stanley Cup.
what an incredible story. respect to the whole family and everyone who helped them
Quickly became a fan favorite a Montreal for a reason, Montreal fans love players that play their heart out every night; Ask Dale Weise about it. Keep beasting Arber
chills man litteral chills, what an amazing story !
Great story. I may lose my Leafs fan club membership for this... but I love this kid. Saw him play a couple games in the OHL and thought to myself when is coordination catches up with a size he's going to be something special. If he didn't end up on my Leafs, I'm more than happy he ended up on my hometown Habs. My second favourite team. Yeah, it's complicated. 😉 The story just makes me like Wi-Fi even that much more. 🍻
Just that stoyr makes me more of a bigger Xhekaj fan!! Thank you Montreal!!!
Kid shows everyone even if you're not a first rounder you can make it. Not Even if you're never invited to a draft. This kid is sick. Scouts better start getting more players like this
not really stories like this and being undrafted is usually outlier
A true gem love this guy and only 21yrs.old will only get better!
Been a hockey fan since 1981. A Legend in the making. Congrats Arber!!
I'm a life long Habs fan and this is such a great story. So happy this kid is a Hab and happy for his family too.
Special story, special young man. Special Hab. Wishes for all success 👍
A very inspiring story. As a former American hockey player, that now lives permanently in the Balkans, family originated from Czechoslovakia, I can relate.
Merci de nous avoir raconté cette merveilleuse histoire.
Sportsnet content not about the leafs?? its a miracle.
Got a mention of Tie Domi 🫠
@@irondeer7332 Winnipeg Jets Legend Tie Domi
What an awesome story, I'm glad Sportsnet decided to do a piece on him. His family's story is very powerful
What a freakin' unit! I really hope he becomes part of 'the untouchables' in the Habs D core. If he brings that blue collar work ethic and toughness to every game with the dash of skills that he has shown so far, he'll be a fan favorite.
What an awesome story. Got tears watching it.
What a great story. In these troubled times we need to see more stories like this.
already an Habs legend. can’t wait to see what he’ll accomplish during his hopefully long and successful career
ryan reaves is waiting .
@@northlander4370 X has the upper hand even if he’s at the end of a shift🥱
As if I needed more reason to love this guy
Awesome story! Great kids come from great parents!
While watching got tears in my eyes , what a lovely story , love the guy
what an amazing story, congrats to the family!!
This was really something. Thanks for putting this out!
This was really beautiful cant wait to see whats next for him habs fans have his back
What an amazing guy.
Love this kid. Heart of gold. !!
Wise words from his dad at the end
Love this guy, quickly becoming one of my favorite players.
what a great kid gonna support his parents
Such a wonderful story. How can you not be happy for this kid and his family!
I cried the whole way through the video. Go habs go!
I WAS JUST CHOPPING ONIONS!
@@sportsnet 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Very happy for him and his family. Not a fan of the Habs, but he has brought an intangible, unseen element to their dressing room and I expect the Habs will break new ground in the coming years with his leadership both on and off the ice.
Great story! Happy for him and his family.❤❤❤❤❤
Love this kid. Wow what an emotional video. Great story.
Arber quicky become one off my favorite players,, love this storey,, bring tears to my eyes, fan favorite
A huge story of love and determination. All the best to you and your family!
Sports net documentaries are amazing! Can we get more please?
Very inspiring, great interview. Very touched by the story .
Not a habs fan but I love this kid.