Stu Cowan: Canadiens' Arber Xhekaj realized key classes from his mom

Article content material

Simona Xhekaj is trying ahead to Mom’s Day on Sunday — particularly since her son Arber is again residence in Hamilton

Article content material

Arber’s mother and father got here to Canada within the Nineteen Nineties searching for a greater life. Simona left the Czech Republic and her husband, Jack, left Albania.

Article content material

The couple met by means of mutual buddies after settling in Hamilton and on Could 1 they celebrated their twenty fourth marriage ceremony anniversary. They’ve 4 kids — sons Arber and Florian and daughters Sophia and Dominika.

It was Simona who wished her sons to play hockey. Her husband was a soccer participant, however Simona says she principally grew up in arenas watching her youthful brother play for groups that their father managed.

“There was by no means a doubt in my thoughts that my boys would play hockey,” Simona mentioned in a telephone interview Thursday.

“Even earlier than he was 1 12 months outdated, my husband purchased (Arber) a hockey stick,” Simona added. “He began strolling when he was 10 months outdated, so he was working round the home along with his hockey stick. It was type of humorous. He was 18 months outdated once I put him on skates for the primary time and he was crying his eyes out. He didn’t wish to do it. Folks had been saying I used to be loopy as a result of he was solely 18 months outdated. We type of pressured our older daughter to go together with him and he was pleased about that.”

Article content material

Simona had desires of her boys taking part in skilled hockey, however Arber was by no means chosen on the NHL Draft. The Canadiens invited him to coaching camp in 2021 and favored what they noticed from the 6-foot-4, 238-pound defenceman, signing him to a three-year, NHL entry-level contract price US$2.485 million. Florian, who at 18 is 4 years youthful than Arber, performed for the OHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs this season.

“She at all times informed me to imagine in myself,” Arber mentioned about his mom. “That’s the largest factor that I maintain as a result of she at all times informed me for those who imagine and put every thing into that perception then you possibly can obtain your targets.”

Arber reached his aim this season, taking part in 51 video games for the Canadiens and posting 5-8-13 totals — together with 101 penalty minutes — earlier than struggling a season-ending shoulder harm in a struggle.

Article content material

Article content material

What was it like for Simona to look at her son play within the NHL?

“It’s nonetheless type of surreal, actually,” she mentioned. “It was simply fantastic. It’s one thing that he labored actually onerous for and seeing him attaining one thing that we had been hoping sooner or later he would obtain may be very fulfilling.”

Article content material

When Arber signed his contract two years in the past, it included an US$80,000 signing bonus. He used a few of that cash to purchase new home equipment for his mother and father. He mentioned this season his aim now’s to make sufficient cash so his mother and father can retire.

“That’s loopy, however I wouldn’t thoughts,” Simona mentioned with fun. “I’ve had sufficient of fixing tires.”

Simona works within the storage at a Costco in Hamilton — the identical retailer Arber used to work at. Arber says his mom is stronger than a lot of the males she works with.

“That’s true … what can I say,” Simona mentioned with one other snort. “I believe I modified 100 (tires) yesterday. It was one after one other. I’m over 50 years outdated. I’m the oldest one within the storage. I mentioned to the blokes: ‘If I used to be not as match as I’m I couldn’t try this.’ It’s humorous as a result of folks see me within the uniform they usually suppose I’m working behind the desk. I inform them: ‘No, I’m within the store.”

Article content material

Article content material

Arber’s father works as a welder for Nationwide Metal Automobile, constructing trains.

Simona was a gifted volleyball participant whereas rising up, taking part in for the junior nationwide crew in Czechoslovakia, and he or she nonetheless trains 5 days per week in a fitness center whereas retaining a strict food regimen. Her ardour for health was handed on to her kids.

“It’s one thing that our household does,” Simona mentioned. “My husband performed soccer, however he by no means labored out and 4 years in the past I informed him: ‘Get your ass within the fitness center.’ So he began understanding and now it’s like an habit. It’s nice as a result of it’s one thing all of us have in frequent. The children watched me once they had been little. They at all times noticed me understanding and exercising and consuming good. That’s one thing that was at all times essential to me they usually all type of inherited that. My women work out, too.”

Article content material

Arber has rented his personal place in Hamilton for the offseason whereas he continues to rehab from shoulder surgical procedure and his mom is making ready his meals. However she most likely gained’t be cooking on Mom’s Day.

“I don’t know what’s deliberate … I at all times get stunned,” Simona mentioned. “The children are very affectionate and excellent to me. Mom’s Day is on daily basis … that’s what I say. So long as you’ve got the love of your kids they usually take note of you they usually’re affectionate. We by no means say goodbye with out saying I like you — and that’s actually what’s essential.”

[email protected]

twitter.com/StuCowan1