Canadiens prospect Arber Xhekaj suspended by Ontario Hockey League

The Ontario Hockey League announced this weekend that Kitchener Rangers defenceman and Montreal Canadiens prospect Arber Xhekaj has been suspended five games for a slew foot during Friday night's game against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

The incident occurred in the dying seconds of the third period. Xhekaj went to get the puck behind Sault Ste. Marie's net but it was turned over to a Greyhounds player. As the player on the Greyhounds attempts to dump the puck down the ice, Xhekaj comes from behind and kicks the back of his leg, causing him to fall and appearing to get injured as well.

Xhekaj received a match penalty on the play, which means the play is automatically subject to review by the OHL, who then subsequently suspended the 20-year-old for five games. He will be eligible to return to the Kitchener Rangers lineup on Saturday, November 13th against the Flint Firebirds.

The Hamilton, Ontario native went undrafted in 2019 and was invited to Montreal's rookie camp in early-September. He impressed the coaching staff enough to earn an invite to the team's main camp. Xhekaj played in two pre-season games for the Canadiens before being cut and assigned back to Kitchener in the OHL. Before being released from training camp, the Canadiens signed him to a three-year entry-level contract.

Xhekaj has appeared in eight games this season for Kitchener, tallying six points (one goal, five assists), 31 penalty minutes, and is a +5.

Source: Ontario Hockey League

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