Since Arber Xhekaj entered the NHL, he has made a name for himself as a tough guy. But after last night, when he dropped the gloves against Dylan McIlrath, fans are now mocking Xhekaj for the way he fought.
Arber Xhekaj is part of a young, talented Montreal Canadiens team—currently the youngest in the league—that is expected to restore the franchise to its former glory and hopefully bring a Stanley Cup back to the hockey capital of the world.
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Youngest team in the league
So far this season, the Canadiens sit just two points away from the top spot in the Eastern Conference. The team’s young core has led the way, with stars such as Nick Suzuki, Lane Hutson, Cole Caufield, and Ivan Demidov. While Xhekaj doesn’t contribute much offensively, he serves another important purpose on the ice: protecting the team’s stars.
Fought Dylan McIlrath
Standing 6’4” and weighing 240 pounds, Xhekaj’s stature commands respect. He is also not afraid to drop the mitts against opposing enforcers. Last night, he did just that against Washington Capitals defenseman Dylan McIlrath after McIlrath laid a big hit on Jayden Struble. However, fans were not impressed with how Xhekaj handled the fight.
Arber Xhekaj mocked by fans
What was expected to be a true heavyweight tilt instead ended up looking more like a wrestling match—something fans blamed Xhekaj for on social media, saying he was afraid to truly engage with the more experienced McIlrath.
“Xhekaj jumps him to hug him and do nothing until his back is turned? This was not the energy I expected,” one fan wrote on X.
“Wi-Fi wanted no part of that lol, it’s all an act,” another wrote.
“Never seen Xhekaj scared like that before. Instant regret face. Did well to keep it a wrestling match and save himself,” a third fan added.
You can watch the fight below.
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