Arber Xhekaj played excellent hockey at the end of the season, upon his return from Laval. But he managed to do it despite a damaged left shoulder.
This is what he confirmed before the match on Tuesday, when he appeared in front of the media, his left shoulder in a splint following his operation undergone in recent days.
“A lot of ups and downs. It was a difficult season, he said. My shoulder bothered me all year, and I hid it because I wanted to play. That end was my fault, but I still ended up playing well. »
Xhekaj wanted to play because he knew “it was an important year,” he said, referring to his contract which expires at the end of the campaign. He therefore had time to play 44 matches with the Habs, in addition to 17 with the Rocket. Left aside twice after his recall, he maintained his place from February 13. In 23 games from then on, the colossus scored six points and had a +5 record.
But he did it without being 100%. His left shoulder had been bothering him “since junior,” he said. “ [Je me souviens de] several incidents where I felt like my shoulder had moved. Sometimes I had to keep playing, I wanted to play. » Xhekaj added that he refused some fights to protect himself.
“I had to think about it a lot more. Sometimes it happens. But I wasn’t looking for unnecessary fights. It was hard to manage. I wanted to be tough, to be myself, and then someone asked me to fight and I had to find a way to respond! I had to find the balance between my shoulder and my game. I’m glad it’s resolved. »
Xhekaj is starting to develop expertise in this area, since he underwent the same operation last year, this time on his right shoulder. This experience reassures him. “It’s as if I had a new one,” he illustrates. This is also why he assures that he will be ready in time for camp in September. “Last year, I was postponed to the fourth month. »