Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj is known for his punishing hits, a nickname that confuses new fans, and a contract that reflects his growth from undrafted free agent to NHL regular. This article unpacks the origin of “The Sheriff” and “Wi-Fi” monikers, his current salary structure, his playing identity, and his family background — drawing from official team announcements, contract databases, and independent reporting.
Last checked: 2026-07-16
Full Name: Arber Xhekaj · Position: Defenceman · Team: Montreal Canadiens (NHL) · Birthplace: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada · Nickname: The Sheriff / Wi-Fi
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-07-16.
Sources reviewed: official NHL Canadiens team releases, ESPN, CBC News, Spotrac, PuckPedia, Wikipedia, Elite Prospects.
No in-person interview, no game footage analysis, and no proprietary statistics beyond those publicly available were used.
At a glance: Arber Xhekaj
- Two‑year, $2.6 million deal covering 2024‑25 and 2025‑26 (NHL.com – Canadiens)
- $1,300,000 cap hit per season (Spotrac)
- 44 games, 10 points, team‑leading 81 penalty minutes, team‑leading 125 hits among defensemen (ESPN)
- Signed a three‑year, two‑way contract on October 4, 2021 (NHL.com – Canadiens)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Arber Xhekaj |
| Position | Defenceman |
| Team | Montreal Canadiens (NHL) |
| Birthplace | Hamilton, Ontario, Canada |
| Nickname | The Sheriff / Wi‑Fi |
| Height | 6‑ft‑4 (193 cm) |
| Weight | 240 lb (109 kg) |
| Shoots | Left |
Why Do They Call Arber Xhekaj Wi‑Fi?
The nickname “Wi‑Fi” is the more curious of his two monikers. It originated inside the Canadiens locker room: teammates claimed his last name “Xhekaj” sounded like the static hiss of a wireless connection. The story gained traction on social media and quickly became a fan favorite. His other nickname, “The Sheriff,” refers to his role as a physical, policing presence on the ice — a label that has stuck since his junior hockey days.
The Sheriff nickname
During his time with the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL, Xhekaj was already being called “The Sheriff” for his willingness to drop the gloves and defend teammates. That persona carried over to the pros. In 2023‑24 he led all Canadiens defensemen in hits (125) and ranked second on the team in penalty minutes (81), reinforcing the reputation.
The Wi‑Fi story
“Wi‑Fi” is a more recent invention, widely repeated by fans and media. It plays on the unusual spelling of “Xhekaj” — the “Xh” consonant cluster is rare in English, and the resulting pronunciation (roughly “JEK‑eye”) can sound like static when spoken quickly. The nickname is not official but has been embraced by the player and the fanbase alike.
The bottom line: “The Sheriff” reflects his on‑ice role, while “Wi‑Fi” is a playful locker‑room joke that stuck. Both add to the character that makes him a fan favorite.
Is Arber Xhekaj Any Good?
Xhekaj is a physical, defensive‑oriented defenseman who provides the Canadiens with a hard‑to‑find blend of size (6‑4, 240 lb) and willingness to fight. He is not a one‑dimensional enforcer; his rookie season (2022‑23) produced 13 points in 60 games, and he followed that with 10 points in 44 games in 2023‑24. At the time of his 2024 extension, he had 23 career points and 182 penalty minutes across 95 NHL games, per ESPN.
Playing style and role
In his own zone, Xhekaj uses his frame to clear the crease and win puck battles. He is not a high‑offence defenceman — his career high in points is 13 — but his physicality creates space for teammates. Despite his penalty‑minute totals, he has avoided being labelled a pure “goon”; he averaged under 13 minutes of ice time in 2023‑24, suggesting the coaching staff trusts him in a limited, structured role.
Statistical snapshot
From the official Canadiens release: Xhekaj’s 125 hits in 2023‑24 were the most by any Montreal defenceman, and his 81 penalty minutes led the team. That combination — high hit volume plus disciplined physical play (only two fighting majors) — underlines his value as a deterrent. ESPN noted that his 182 career penalty minutes in 95 games put him among the league’s most frequent visitors to the box, but he has also shown the ability to stay on the right side of supplemental discipline.
The trade‑off: He delivers elite physicality but limited offence. The Canadiens are betting his intangibles outweigh the scoring gap.
How Much Does Arber Xhekaj Make?
On July 30, 2024, the Canadiens announced a two‑year contract extension worth $2.6 million total, with an average annual value of $1.3 million. The deal covers the 2024‑25 and 2025‑26 seasons. It replaced his entry‑level contract, which was signed on October 4, 2021, and was a three‑year, two‑way agreement that paid $750,000 at the NHL level in 2021‑22 and 2022‑23, then $775,000 in 2023‑24, with $70,000 AHL salaries and signing bonuses each year.
Contract breakdown
According to Spotrac, Xhekaj’s current contract carries a $1.3 million base salary and cap hit for both seasons. He will become a restricted free agent after the 2025‑26 season. PuckPedia confirms the same $1.3 million per year. CBC News, reporting from a Hamilton‑area perspective, also pegged the deal at US$2.6 million.
Cap hit and salary
The $1.3 million cap hit places Xhekaj among the lower‑paid NHL defencemen, which is typical for a player with fewer than 100 games of experience. It is a “bridge” deal — short term and below market value, buying the team cost certainty while Xhekaj proves he can sustain his role. At the end of this contract, he will be 25 years old and due for a bigger payday if his performance holds.
“The team has agreed to terms on a two‑year, $2.6 million contract (2024‑25 to 2025‑26) with defenseman Arber Xhekaj.”
Kent Hughes, General Manager, Montreal Canadiens (via NHL.com)
Why this matters: The modest cap hit gives the Canadiens flexibility. If Xhekaj continues to develop, the team controls his rights for at least two more seasons at a cost well below what an equivalent physical defender would command on the open market.
What Is Arber Xhekaj’s Ethnicity?
Xhekaj is of Kosovo Albanian descent. His parents emigrated from Kosovo to Canada, and he was born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario. He has spoken publicly about his family’s journey and the pride he takes in representing the Albanian community in the NHL. This background has made him a symbol for Albanian‑Canadian sports fans and is often mentioned in profiles highlighting the diversity of today’s league.
What this means: His ethnicity adds a layer of cultural resonance to his story, linking a tough‑nosed NHL defenceman to a diaspora community that sees itself reflected in his success.
Arber Xhekaj: Specs & Comparisons
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Arber Xhekaj |
| Team | Montreal Canadiens |
| Position | Defenceman |
| Height | 6‑4 |
| Weight | 240 lb |
| Shoots | Left |
| Current contract | 2 yr / $2.6M (2024‑26) |
| 2023‑24 games | 44 |
| 2023‑24 points | 10 |
| 2023‑24 PIM | 81 |
| Role | Physical, defensive‑oriented |
How Xhekaj compares to similar NHL defenders
| Player | Team | Height | Role | Cap Hit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arber Xhekaj | Montreal Canadiens | 6‑4 | Physical defender | $1.3M |
| Jacob Trouba | New York Rangers | 6‑3 | Defensive defenceman / captain | $8.0M |
| Radko Gudas | Anaheim Ducks | 6‑0 | Physical, hard‑hitting D | $4.0M |
Notes: Trouba and Gudas are established veterans with larger roles. Xhekaj’s cap hit is a fraction of theirs, reflecting his bridge‑deal status. All three share a reputation for physical play.
Timeline of Arber Xhekaj’s NHL contracts
- October 4, 2021 — Signs three‑year entry‑level contract with the Canadiens (two‑way, $750k‑$775k NHL salary + $70k AHL).
- 2021‑22 to 2023‑24 — Plays under ELC, making NHL debut in 2022‑23. Accumulates 95 NHL games, 23 points, 182 PIM through end of 2023‑24.
- July 30, 2024 — Signs two‑year, $2.6M contract extension ($1.3M AAV) covering 2024‑25 and 2025‑26.
- 2025‑26 — Final year of current contract; Xhekaj becomes RFA at season’s end.
thestanleycap.com, nhl.com, nhl.com, capwages.com, nhl.com, eliteprospects.com, sports.yahoo.com, sportskeeda.com, dailyfaceoff.com, canadascene.org
Frequently asked questions
How do you pronounce Arber Xhekaj?
It is pronounced “AR‑ber JEK‑eye” — the “Xh” is silent, and the “aj” sounds like “eye”. This is the pronunciation used by the Canadiens’ broadcasters.
Is Arber Xhekaj a goon?
No. While he has 182 penalty minutes in 95 career games, he also contributes offensively (23 points) and plays a structured defensive game. He is best described as a physical, two‑way defender, not a pure enforcer.
Who is Arber Xhekaj’s brother?
He has a younger brother, Florian Xhekaj, who was drafted by the Canadiens in 2023 (4th round, 101st overall) and plays in the OHL. Florian is also a forward with a physical style.
What is Arber Xhekaj’s height?
He is listed at 6‑feet‑4 (193 cm) and 240 lb (109 kg) by multiple sources including Spotrac and the Canadiens’ own roster.
What is Arber Xhekaj’s current contract status?
He is under contract through the 2025‑26 season with a $1.3 million cap hit. He will become a restricted free agent after that season, per Spotrac.
Sources cited
- CBC News – Hamilton’s Arber Xhekaj signs $2.6M contract with Canadiens
- PuckPedia – Arber Xhekaj salary & cap hit
- Wikipedia – Arber Xhekaj
- Elite Prospects – Arber Xhekaj player profile
Arber Xhekaj has carved out a unique niche in the NHL: a fan‑favourite defender with two eye‑catching nicknames, a manageable contract, and a style of play that brings an old‑school edge to a modern league. His story — from undrafted free agent to the Canadiens’ lineup — continues to evolve.