The Montreal Canadiens have removed defenseman Arber
After playing his last game with the Habs on November 16, Xhekaj resumed training with the other Bleu Blanc Rouge players on Saturday. He took a hit from Ivan Barbashev of the Vegas Golden Knights before landing on the floor with upper-body problems.
For number 72, it was the second physical trap since his 2022-2023 National League debut. In February, he suffered a shoulder injury after a fight with Vincent Desharnais of the Edmonton Oilers, ending the season early.
In Montreal this season, the strong defender recorded a total of 47 penalty minutes in 17 games.
The Rocket host the Belleville Senators on Wednesday. For Xhekaj, it may be the first encounter in his life in the AHL when head coach Jean-François Houle calls on his services.