Prospect Info: [2023 - 101st] Florian Xhekaj (OHL - Brantford Bulldogs)

[ChesterNimitz]

He was drafted to be a meaner Pezzetta. 15-20 points, PK, and actually scare the crap out of people.

After they see how he skates, he may scare the crap out of our coaches.

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

Happy for Florian, they picked him a bit high, but it's fine.

 

[WeThreeKings]

I got a problem with nepotism and I got a problem with it in round 4.

I like most of what HuGo has done but this is a return to Bergevin level antics.

 

[NotProkofievian]

Complete waste of a pick. It's just a 4th, but this is almost as much a non-pick as that guy we drafted from Midget AAA a few years back.

 

[calder candidate]

I have no issue pick him in the 6 or 7 round this seem too early, even if a other team pick we can still acquire him for free on waiver in a few years…

 

[CoopersFalls]

His ceiling is Nic Deslauriers. His floor is Riley McKay.

 

[Hannibal]

A bit early, but if he can become a keegan Kolesar, i’m happy!

 

[wildD]

Like this pick, let’s hope he is able to turn out to be another pezzetta

 

[montreal]

 

[Scintillating10]

I called this pick last March in Wifi thread. Watched an OHL game, I said Habs take him late round this draft

 

[BenchBrawl]

I support this pick even if its sole purpose would be to make sure Arber stays with us forever.

If he becomes a player that's a nice bonus.

 

[Habs10Habs]

Definitely a feel good story. I like the pick.

 

[Adam Michaels]

I called this pick last March in Wifi thread. Watched an OHL game, I said Habs take him late round this draft

You can argue they took him earlier than expected, but I'm happy that Habs did grab a guy who plays with sandpaper. I'm not the type that just wants skill guy after skill guy after skill guy. I want variety in the pipeline. That's why if you look back to when Pez was still a prospect at Junior, I was among those who was singing his praises. And I continue to do so.

 

[Habs13]

... or Sens .

Why not both?

 

[1909]

I called this pick last March in Wifi thread. Watched an OHL game, I said Habs take him late round this draft

Late round is not 4th round. He was 6 or 7th round material at best.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

Most intriguing pick made today. If he follows Xhekaj's development curve, he could become a valuable player in our bottom 6

 

[HuGo Sham]

there's no question Arber set a precedent here and habs feel this kid is also tough, determined and an underdog - and the family bloodlines will give him a chance to succeed with Mtl

 

[River Meadow]

I LOVE this pick.

This will makes us a lot tougher.

 

[Garry Valk]

Love this pick.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

there's no question Arber set a precedent here and habs feel this kid is also tough, determined and an underdog - and the family bloodlines will give him a chance to succeed with Mtl

I would like to believe that the Habs know something that nobody else knows as there were still some decent prospects on the board.Perhaps the prospects that I liked did not check the appropriate boxes with their culture building qualifications?

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

He can be the sheriff in Laval

 

[MadMslm]

Was surprised to see him come out this early. Arber had a really good development curve and they are hoping the same may apply to his brother.

Not the fastest skater but he works hard and gets dirty, will see where it will take him. Maybe this acts as confidence boost.

Pezzeta didn’t produce much either, but hard work and good attitude brought him where he is now. Who knows if he’ll follow the same path his brother did.

 

[rve24]

Complete waste of a pick. It's just a 4th, but this is almost as much a non-pick as that guy we drafted from Midget AAA a few years back.

I'm won't argue it may be a wasted pick from what little I've seen as a LK season tic holder.
Building bridges I'm guessing or they saw something ..........
X was so far ahead of his bro at same age...but I'd be happy If he turns into an AHL player with that 4th rd pick. Anything additional is a bonus but I haven't seen the same " intangible " X has bit maybe it's in the genes.

 

[montreal]

I'm guessing most of the posters haven't seen him play

 

[Chili]

Accordihg to hockeydb, he never played hockey before.

From Elite Prospects:

Season​	Team​	League​	GP​	G​	A​	TP​	PIM​
2016-2017​	Hamilton Huskies PW​	QC Int PW​	2​	3​	1​	4​	4​
2017-2018​	Draftday Hockey Selects U14​	WSI U14​	5​	1​	0​	1​	-​
2018-2019​	Hamilton Huskies U15 AAA​	ALLIANCE U15​	-​	-​	-​	-​	-​
2019-2020​	Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs U16 AAA​	SCTA U16​	32​	11​	11​	22​	24​
2020-2021​	Pelham Panthers​	GOJHL​	0​	0​	0​	0​	0​
2021-2022​	Pelham Panthers​	GOJHL​	48​	17​	23​	40​	62​
2022-2023​	Brantford Bulldogs​	OHL​	68​	13​	12​	25​	76​
2023-2024​	Brantford Bulldogs​	OHL​	-​	-​	-​	-​	-​