An undrafted kid from Hamilton who turned pure grit into an NHL career — Arber Xhekaj now earns $1.3 million per season with the Montreal Canadiens and has pocketed over $5 million in career earnings before turning 26.
In this article, you’ll find everything verified — his contracts, salary history, career stats, family background, and a realistic net worth estimate.
Arber Xhekaj’s Biography
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Arber Xhekaj |
| Date of Birth | January 30, 2001 |
| Age | 25 years old |
| Nationality | Canadian / Czech |
| Place of Birth | Hamilton, Ontario, Canada |
| Height / Weight | 6’4″ / 240 lbs |
| Position | Defense (Left Shot) |
| Current NHL Team | Montreal Canadiens |
| NHL Draft Status | Undrafted (Signed as Free Agent, 2021) |
| Years Active | 2022–Present |
| Estimated Net Worth | ~$3 million |
| Current NHL Salary | $1.3 million AAV |
| Career NHL Earnings | ~$5.07 million |
| Relationship Status | Dating Stephanie Kielb |
| Siblings | Florian Xhekaj (brother), Sophia & Dominika (sisters) |
Early Life & Hockey Journey
Arber Xhekaj grew up in Hamilton, Ontario, the son of Jack and Simona Xhekaj — immigrants from Kosovo and the Czech Republic, respectively. His parents made extraordinary sacrifices to support his hockey dreams.
His father Jack worked as a welder, and his mother Simona changed tires at Costco while the family poured nearly all their income into AAA travel hockey, tournaments, and equipment costs.
Arber played through the Hamilton minor hockey system before advancing to the Ontario Hockey League, where he suited up for the Kitchener Rangers.
He was not selected in any NHL draft — a fact that drives much of his chip-on-the-shoulder mentality on the ice. Despite going undrafted, his physical play, size, and willingness to fight earned him serious attention from NHL scouts.
His breakthrough came in the 2021–22 OHL season when the Kitchener Rangers won the OHL championship. That title helped put Xhekaj on the map, and the Montreal Canadiens signed him as an undrafted free agent on October 4, 2021.
He signed a three-year entry-level contract and was loaned back to the Kitchener Rangers for the remainder of that OHL season.
His younger brother Florian Xhekaj, born in 2004, followed a similar path and was eventually drafted by the Canadiens in the fourth round (101st overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft.
Watching both brothers grow into NHL prospects stands as one of the most inspiring stories in Canadian hockey in recent years.
NHL Career
Arber Xhekaj made his NHL debut in the 2022–23 season with the Montreal Canadiens and immediately made an impact.
In his rookie year, he appeared in 51 games, scoring 5 goals and 13 points while racking up 101 penalty minutes — a number that announced his role as one of the league’s most physical young defenders.
He continued to grow in the 2023–24 season, logging 44 games with 10 points and 81 penalty minutes, also leading the Canadiens in hits with 125.
Injuries limited his production in some stretches, but his importance to the team’s defensive identity never wavered.
The 2024–25 season was his most complete — Xhekaj played in all 70 games, proving his durability while posting 6 points and a team-leading 118 penalty minutes.
In 2025–26, he played 65 games and contributed 4 points, continuing his role as a physical presence on Montreal’s blue line.
As of this writing, Xhekaj has played 230 career NHL games and registered 33 career points (10 goals, 23 assists).
Beyond stats, Xhekaj also became a Canadiens fan favorite, earning the nicknames “Wi-Fi” and “Big X” for his rugged play. He also became an official ambassador for The Angel Project, a charitable organization supporting seriously ill patients.
Girlfriend
Arber Xhekaj has been dating Stephanie Kielb, a Registered Dental Hygienist, since their high school years in Hamilton.
The couple met in Grade 8 and have remained together through his entire hockey journey from junior to the NHL.
His family remains a strong pillar in his life. Parents Jack and Simona still live in Hamilton, and Arber has spoken openly about giving back to them. He used his first signing bonus to buy new appliances for his family home.
In a touching gesture, Arber and his brother Florian later gifted their father Jack a Mercedes-Benz as a thank-you for the sacrifices he made.
Arber also has two sisters, Sophia and Dominika. The Xhekaj family story — two immigrant parents raising four children, two of whom became Montreal Canadiens players — is one the broader hockey community has celebrated.
Arber Xhekaj’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Arber Xhekaj’s has an estimated net worth of approximately $3 million.
He built this through three NHL contracts, career earnings exceeding $5 million, and cost-effective lifestyle choices typical of players still in the mid-range salary tier.
NHL Contract
Xhekaj is currently in the final year of a two-year contract signed with the Montreal Canadiens in July 2024.
The deal runs from the 2024–25 through the 2025–26 season and is valued at a total of $2.6 million.
The contract carries an average annual value (AAV) of $1.3 million and was signed after Xhekaj emerged from his entry-level deal as a restricted free agent.
As the 2025–26 season wraps up, he is set to enter free agency again, with his next contract expected to reflect his improving role on the team.
Salary
Xhekaj’s current annual salary stands at $1.3 million per season. His first NHL contract — a three-year entry-level deal signed in 2021 — paid him $750,000 in each of the first two seasons and $775,000 in the final season, with additional signing bonuses ranging from $60,000 to $80,000 per year.
While he doesn’t rank among the top-paid NHL defensemen, his salary growth has followed a realistic and healthy trajectory for an undrafted player.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Team | NHL Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–22 | Montreal Canadiens | $750,000 | Entry-level year, loaned to OHL |
| 2022–23 | Montreal Canadiens | $750,000 | NHL debut season (51 GP) |
| 2023–24 | Montreal Canadiens | $775,000 | Led team in PIM (81) |
| 2024–25 | Montreal Canadiens | $1,300,000 | New 2-year deal signed July 2024 |
| 2025–26 | Montreal Canadiens | $1,300,000 | Final year of current contract |
| Career Total | ~$4,875,000 | Excluding signing bonuses |
- Note: Signing bonuses add approximately $210,000 to the total, bringing career earnings to approximately $5.07 million.
Endorsements
Arber Xhekaj shoe deals or national brand endorsements (Nike, Adidas, Gatorade, Fanatics) have been publicly announced or confirmed for Arber Xhekaj as of 2026.
His public-facing work has been focused on community charity rather than corporate sponsorships.
He is a verified ambassador for The Angel Project, a Montreal-based charitable organization that supports families of seriously ill patients — a role he took on voluntarily based on personal connection to the cause.
His fan-favorite status in Montreal, with nicknames like “Wi-Fi” and “Big X,” does give him local brand appeal that could attract endorsement partners as his career progresses.
Any brand affiliations or investment activity outside of hockey remain unconfirmed at this time.
Career Statistics
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–23 | Montreal Canadiens | 51 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 101 |
| 2023–24 | Montreal Canadiens | 44 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 81 |
| 2024–25 | Montreal Canadiens | 70 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 118 |
| 2025–26 | Montreal Canadiens | 65 | 1 | 3 | 4 | ~104 |
| Career | Montreal Canadiens | 230 | 10 | 23 | 33 | ~404 |
FAQs
What is Arber Xhekaj’s net worth?
Arber Xhekaj’s estimated net worth is approximately $3 million. He built it through three NHL contracts with the Montreal Canadiens, totaling over $5 million in verified career earnings.
What is Arber Xhekaj’s current salary?
He earns $1.3 million per season under a two-year, $2.6 million deal signed with the Montreal Canadiens in July 2024. The contract covers the 2024–25 and 2025–26 NHL seasons.
How much has Arber Xhekaj earned in his NHL career?
Xhekaj has earned approximately $5.07 million in total NHL career earnings, ranking #1,957 all-time in NHL career earnings. His entry-level deals and current contract account for all verified income.
What is Arber Xhekaj’s NHL fight record?
Xhekaj is one of the NHL’s most active fighters. In his 2022–23 rookie season alone, he fought nine times and went 7-1-1. His career NHL fight total stands at over 29 registered bouts.
What team does Arber Xhekaj play?
He plays for the Montreal Canadiens, where he has been since his NHL debut in 2022. His current contract is expiring and his future with the team is under discussion.
