Defenseman Arber Xhekaj was never drafted in the National Hockey League. He has never been drafted as a junior. Regardless, the guard is building a solid career in the NHL and even making himself indispensable for the Montreal Canadiens.

If he was never selected by the CH, he is the complete opposite of his brother Florian, who was drafted in the fourth round of the 2023 draft.

“It was special,” Xhekaj first told Dave Morissette in an interview that aired Saturday on TVA Sports. I asked him if he wanted to go to the draft. He had said he didn’t know and didn’t want to sit through the entire draft lest something happen.

“[…] I was getting my hair cut and my phone started ringing. I turned it off but it continued. I was watching TV and saw he had been drafted by Montreal. I got in the car and almost cried. I called him immediately. It was an incredible moment.”

And Xhekaj only regrets that day once.

“I regret not bringing him because I wanted him to experience this moment. And also that our family name is called,” he continued.

Of course, it would be a dream for Xhekaj to be able to play with his little brother one day.

“Just having the A. Xhekaj jersey and him having the F. Xhekaj jersey, I would love that so much. All our lives we played on the street and mini hockey in the basement. We played every sport together. Our goal has always been to play together in one way or another. If I can do that, it will be the best day for me.”

Watch the second part of the interview in the video above, where Xhekaj also talks about his path to the NHL.