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Arber and Florian are enthusiastic about the potential for taking part in on the identical group because the Habs prepare to start out their preseason schedule Monday evening towards the Flyers.
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The Canadiens cancelled a scheduled scrimmage Sunday morning at coaching camp in Brossard, with the gamers practising as an alternative on the CN Sports activities Complicated.
The Canadiens additionally adjusted the three groups at coaching camp, displaying what the group may appear to be for the primary two preseason video games on the Bell Centre, Monday towards the Philadelphia Flyers (7 p.m., RDS) and Tuesday towards the New Jersey Devils (7 p.m., RDS).
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It’s fascinating to notice that the 2 Xhekaj brothers, Arber and Florian, at the moment are collectively on Staff 1.
“I feel it’s potential for positive,” Florian, 20, informed reporters in Brossard Sunday morning when requested about the potential for taking part in an exhibition sport together with his older brother as a teammate. “We’re on the identical group proper now and the roster for tomorrow’s sport is popping out. So we’ll see.”
Arber, 23, stated it will be superior to play a preseason sport on the Bell Centre on the identical group as his brother.
“I used to be simply saying it’s going to be cool to have the A. Xhekaj on the jersey after which he has the F,” Arber informed reporters in Brossard. “So I’m excited for it.
“I used to be wanting ahead to it this 12 months and now we’re on the identical camp group,” Arber added. “I don’t know what’s going to occur. They all the time change up the groups, but when we get a sport collectively it’s going to be superior.”
Arber is heading into his third season with the Canadiens after by no means being chosen on the NHL Draft. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound defenceman had 3-7-10 totals and 81 penalty minutes in 44 video games with the Canadiens final season. Arber additionally performed 17 video games with the AHL’s Laval Rocket, posting 3-8-11 totals and 34 penalty minutes. The Canadiens signed Arber to a two-year, US$2.6-million contract on the finish of July.
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Street to the Cup
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The Canadiens chosen Florian within the fourth spherical (a hundred and first total) of the 2023 NHL Draft. In 63 video games final season with the Brantford Bulldogs of the OHL, the 6-foot-3, 195-pound ahead had 34-31-65 totals and 81 penalty minutes. The Canadiens signed Florian to a three-year, US$2.6-million NHL entry-level contract after his OHL season completed. He performed three video games with the Rocket to complete the 12 months, failing to register a degree.
When Arber was a visitor on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast this summer time, he was requested about his youthful brother and described him as “a beast.”
“He’ll shock lots of people,” Arber stated. “I imply, he needed to struggle me rising up his complete life. Will probably be fascinating to see what he does.”
When Florian was requested Sunday if he’s fearful about gamers on opposing NHL groups difficult him to a struggle due to his brother’s repute, Arber interrupted and stated with a chuckle: “No person’s going to check him, as a result of I’m going to be there.”
Arber then added: “I keep in mind watching him play within the OHL and everybody’s all the time saying, ‘Oh, you assume you’re your brother’ and all that. However he handles himself very well, so I’m pleased with him.”
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Florian stated he shall be prepared if an opponent decides to problem him in a preseason sport.
“Even when (Arber) was out of the OHL and I simply acquired in it, everybody was already testing me,” Florian stated. “I’m all the time prepared. I’m not going to again down.”
The Xhekaj brothers reside collectively now, and having a giant brother to lean on has been good for Florian.
“If I’ve any questions, he’s all the time right here,” Florian stated. “I all the time ask him if I want something or if I’ve questions on something. It’s tremendous useful.”
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When requested if his older brother can be the one paying for preseason tickets for household and mates, Florian stated: “Oh, for positive.”
Florian and Arber’s mother and father, Jack and Simona, reside in Hamilton. Jack is a welder at Nationwide Metal Automobile constructing freight prepare vehicles, whereas Simona works in a Costco storage altering tires on vehicles. When Arber signed his first professional contract, which included a US$80,000 signing bonus, he purchased his mother and father new home equipment for the household dwelling. This summer time, the 2 brothers acquired collectively to purchase their father a brand new Mercedes-Benz automotive as a token of appreciation for the sacrifices made in order that the 2 boys may play high-level hockey whereas rising up in Hamilton.
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“Our mother and father spent each single greenback in the direction of me and my brother to play hockey,” Arber stated. “We each performed triple-A. It’s so costly yearly. Accommodations, the travelling. Mother was sleeping within the automotive within the parking zone whereas I used to be at apply late evening and dragging me off the bed to get to highschool. Heaps and many recollections and many cash in the direction of us. So it’s lastly paying off and it’s particular.
“I’ve clearly been older my complete life than him, so I’ve been displaying him the ropes — simply the lifestyle and the whole lot like that,” Arber added about being a mentor to his youthful brother. “It’s been enjoyable and I’m excited to have him right here, and sporting the identical jersey in the future, it’s going to be a blessing.”
Laine again on the ice: Patrik Laine, who took a remedy day Saturday and didn’t skate, was again on the ice for Sunday’s apply.
scowan@postmedia.com
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