It was supposed to be just another regular day for Simona Xhekaj at Costco in Stoney Creek, Ontario. She was scheduled to work her shift on Tuesday morning, the same place her son Arber once worked before his unexpected rise to the NHL with the Montreal Canadiens. But this was not an ordinary day. For the first time, both of her sons, Arber and Florian, were set to play together in a Canadiens uniform at the Bell Centre in Montreal.
Simona thought she would be watching this historic family moment on television once she got home from work. But her boss at Costco, aware of what was happening, told her she couldn’t possibly miss it. He reminded her that both of her boys playing on the same NHL team was something truly rare. “Who knows how many times this will happen? You should go” he told her. That was all she needed to hear. Without hesitation, Simona got in her car and began the long six-hour drive to Montreal.
She didn’t tell her sons. Arber and Florian share an apartment in downtown Montreal, and as they went for their usual afternoon naps before the game, they had no idea what surprise awaited them. When they woke up, their mother was sitting there in their living room, smiling. The brothers were stunned. “It was emotional” Arber said. “She drove six hours, and she’s going straight back for work tomorrow. For her to be here to see us both play is so special.”
For the Xhekaj family, this wasn’t just another hockey game. It was the result of years of sacrifice and hardship. Arber openly admitted that without the devotion of their parents, he and his brother would never have made it this far. Hockey is known as a sport of privilege, requiring money for gear, endless practices, and long trips. The Xhekajs didn’t have that kind of money, but they made it happen anyway. “My parents sacrificed everything for us” Arber explained. “Sleeping in the car, driving hours to Toronto for practices, late nights, tournaments, putting every dollar they had into me and Florian. For our mom to sit in the stands tonight and see us here, it means everything.”
And the game itself made the story even more unforgettable. With his mom in the crowd, Florian scored Montreal’s second goal of the night in a 4–2 preseason win against the Philadelphia Flyers. He also showed his toughness, dropping the gloves against veteran Nicolas Deslauriers, a well-known enforcer in the league. Not to be outdone, Arber finished the night by scoring into an empty net to secure the victory and was as physical as ever. All together, the name Xhekaj appeared on the scoresheet five times. For their mother, who had just taken a spontaneous day off work to witness it, every single moment was priceless.
But beyond the emotions of the night, this game also hinted at something bigger. Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis has been vocal that while his team is full of young talent, they still need more grit, more physical presence, what he calls “sandpaper.” Players who can both play the game at a high speed and bring toughness are rare in the NHL. Arber has already become known for bringing that element to Montreal, and on this night, Florian showed that he might be able to do the same.
Florian’s goal came after a tough play along the boards, where his teammate absorbed a hit to keep the puck alive, allowing him to finish the scoring chance. It was the type of goal that shows effort, awareness, and grit — exactly what the Canadiens are looking for. His fight against Deslauriers also showed fearlessness, something that impressed both his brother and his coaches. Arber admitted it was strange watching his younger brother in such a tough battle. “I was scared for a moment” he said. “But I have to realize he’s grown up now, he’s not a little boy anymore. I’m proud of him. He knows his role and he does it really well.”
The Canadiens drafted both brothers as overage players in consecutive years, betting on their toughness, work ethic, and ability to bring that extra edge the team needs. Both are signed to NHL contracts, and while they are expected to spend much of this season in the AHL with Laval, nights like this one showed why the organization believes in them. Captain Nick Suzuki even acknowledged that being tougher to play against is something the team must embrace internally, not just through trades or signings. Florian’s performance was a sign that this toughness could indeed come from within.
For Simona Xhekaj, watching her two sons play together at the Bell Centre was already a dream come true. But what she may not have realized is that she might have also witnessed the beginning of something much bigger — the moment when it became clear that both of her boys could have a lasting future together in the NHL. From a modest family that once slept in cars just to get to practices, to hearing the roar of more than 20,000 fans in Montreal, the journey of the Xhekaj family is a powerful reminder of sacrifice, pride, and what it means to chase a dream.
On Tuesday night, the Albanian name Xhekaj wasn’t just on the backs of two NHL jerseys. It was a symbol of determination, family, and the incredible story of immigrants who gave everything so their children could succeed. For the Canadiens, it might also be the sign of a tougher, brighter future. And for Simona, it was the best day off work she could have ever taken./NYTIMES
