#38: Arber Xhekaj Interview: Raw Knuckles Podcast
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- čas přidán 2. 05. 2024
- Chris and Tim are joined by Habs Rookie Defensemen Arber Xhekaj aka Wi-Fi aka The Sheriff to talk about his journey from Costco to the NHL, And how he is adjusting to the National Hockey League
0:00 Intro
01:30 Start of Love for Hockey
3:10 Junior Career
6:20 Fighting
8:30 Long Road to the NHL
17:15 Making the Canadiens
24:45 Wi-Fi Nickname
26:00 Habs Fan
28:10 Role on the Team
30:00 Martin St. Louis
33:55 Adjusting to NHL
40:00 Slafkovsky
42:00 Young Team
45:15 Life in Montreal
46:40 Season Expectations
50:15 Parents At Games
49:50 Brother Florian
54:40 Outro
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This kid, no matter how many points he puts up, will be a CRUCIAL part of this team for years.
Yeah that is what I think as well.
You win playoff rounds with players like him. This is a definite keeper
He's going to put up points too
Until he gets traded
@@brianfarmer5580 maybe in 15 years
He’s such a pure kid. We need to keep him forever
Forever? Man crush. Nut hugging alert!!!
one of the best podcasts I've seen .
Arber Xhekaj is a beauty, what a good, down to earth guy with a great story.
I wish him nothing but success in Montreal!!! LOTS OF BLACK EYES FROM XHEKAJ BABY!!
Great job Knucks and Timster
dont forget jonathan hondacivic too! :) haha love your channel too dude!
somehow I knew you would be in the comments on this video! big fan of the channel buddy and great interview knuckles and Tim
And btw.......see the fucking mits on that kid.....JEESUS
Your account deserves one of those verified yt celeb flags.
Holy sweet flying fuck look who show up!
You can tell Knucks loves this guy. He's beaming in this video, smiling like a proud dad. I love him too and I'm smiling right along with him!
Every time Knucks talks about Xhekaj he is so pumped. I haven’t seen a player in my lifetime excite Knucks this much. He does act like a proud Uncle
I'm a Leafs fan and I can't help but like this kid too. Hockey tough guys are the nicest, most relatable pros there is.
This was honestly so much fun to watch. You can tell he's a very humble kid
I so agree. Have you seen when he scores a goal? He is so humble and professional when he does
This was the best interview with a hockey player ,I have ever listened to. You got the whole back story for the fans.I had a grin on face for 55 minutes, I loved it. What a find for the Habs, and to top it off Arber and his Dad being Canadien fans.
Awesome, thanks so much for taking the time to share your comments!
Stars aligned. My Arber Xhekaj 72 sweater arrived today!! Love this kid!!
the bell centre needs to start playing "X gon give it to ya" by DMX every time this guy fights.
WIFI was awesome in this video, but my favorite part was to watch Knuckles' face with WIFI was talking. Knucks smile said everything, he looked like a proud father out there
I'm so glad this Kid is on my team.
Montreal needed this guy.
Outside the LaFleur tribute episode, this was the best.
so good to have you Arber ! i will never forget the day Jarome Iginla pass in front of our habs bench and and told the guy ill take any one of you and none of our guy stood up !!
I love this podcast and this episode was just the best, thanks guys. It is impossible not to like wifi!!! ❤ cheers from Chile 🇨🇱
Great interview Chris and Tim. No doubt about it that Arber is indeed a "Hockey Player".
This young man seems very humble, reminds me of Bob Probert in a lot of ways! God bless him 👍🇨🇦
Chris and Tim GREAT JOB !!! Arber so psyched for you. GHG
Knuckles , Tim and Arber thank you so much for such a great conversation. Arber showing us all to set a goal and work at reaching it. Staying grounded using what you have and improve on what you need to make better.
Great character and attitude. Great team guy and person off the ice. Habs made a great choice signing the sherrif.
Been a long time since we habs fans have had a player on our team the demands the attention and respect from opposition as Arber is generating. Helps thd team feel better on the ice. They all can play more confident when 72 is in the lineup.
Don't change a thing kid, keep smiling and working hard.!
Ghg!!!
They talk about living the dream but this young man believed in himself and worked his butt off to live his dream . You have got to respect someone who does that in this day and age ! Another awesome show guys keep it up !!!
Chris. Thank you for this interview. I loved you as a player and someone who always made an impact and now you are doing it as a broadcaster. Awesome!
This is soo great to watch! I love how proud Chris and Tim are of this young man! As for Arber, what a levelheaded, happy, polite human!!! Montreal needs to take care of Arber as he will take care of Montreal. I do not think the fame or popularity of the game will go to his head. Man, can’t say enough here, thank you soooooo much for this! Gonna watch it again….. Great job Knuckles and team!!
Hey awesome show
Really love xhekaj
He s a big part of the team now and i wish for a long time
I’m 24 and i’m a big habs fan, and i actually love this core of young guys. Arber is a fucken nail gun and we have a sick D core to look forward too as well as the boys up front. Great pod !
I'm pretty sure there's a long list of Habs fans hoping that Arber has a long productive career with the Habs. What a breath of fresh air. He could be the next John Ferguson for the elite young players on the team.
He has to watch the John Ferguson tribute on CZcams. We're rooting for ya young fella, All the best in your career and life.
Love Xhekaj! Passion personality and play. (It used to be “Le Gallagher”) but this kid is so smart and mature for his age. Hope he is here to stay for a long time! Thanks knuckles, as always, a great interview! GHG!
This kid is really a good kid and easy to like and you want him to be on your team, I wish him a long and successful career.
Great interview. Arber is legit a solid character. Much respect and hope he has a long career.
What an absolute beauty, i love this kid. I hope he stays around for a while, because he is exactly what the NHL needs more of again.
I knew he had BIG hands but...geeze!!!!!
I’m a long-standing Rangers fan. This story is so good I bought a professional #72 XHEKAJ jersey… gotta love this kid.
What a great interview Chris and Tim
Arber rocks
8 years deal coming ❤️💪🏼😤
What a great kid! Honest. Intelligent. Determined. I love the line from Martin St.Louis. Some people play hockey. He's a HOCKEY player. Thanks Knucks !
Great interview Knucks ! Love this kid. What a background story to the NHL ..
Down to Earth what a great story
This kid Arber Xhekaj is a big part off the Canadian's future,, tuff as nails,, the Cosco kid,,
He knows when to step up and when to chill. Has a great shot from the blue line and can mount a rush. Has good hockey sense. MSL is coaching him well. IMO he deserves more ice time. The fans love him. Keeping a level head will solidify his future with the Habs.
u can totally tell the difference when is not on the team....
WoW, great interview! Arber is the real deal!
Arber is the best news for the Habs in years. Wish you the best!
We love you Arber. You'll forever be a Hab in our hearts
Chris, you are a great peer for him am sure with people like you will help his development both on and off the ice! You alumni guys have no idea the impact you guys have on these young players.
Great show guys, love this kid. So glad Ramage and Richardson were around to notice and motivate him. Betcha Bergevin liked him too although his name seems to be mud in Montreal now. Blackeye Xhekaj is living the dream, repping the Hammer with style. Go Habs, go!
Playing Jr B at 16 and the NHL at 21, wow! He's a great story.
J’adore ce gars. Il est un plus plus for the team spirit.
So glad to have seen this. This kid is the real deal. And like you said Chris...he's a Hockey Player ! Hoping he's with us for a long time !
Everybody loves Arber , MSL clearly stated in a rescent press conference that Arber is NOT in Montreal to fight or show how tough he is, He is here to play hockey , taking bad penalties is a NO NO NO on any team , the one Arber took last night for roughing after a crushing hit was a NO NO , there really was no reason to rough up the guy after the hit and sadly you can be sure Arber will see less ice-time if he continues taking penalties like that. But what a HOCKEY player. Go ARBER GO.
Priceless interview.
It's my first year as season ticket holder and win or loose, the Habs are offering a good show. Arber has brought new energy along with the other new players. It'll be fun to see the progression over the seasons to come. Thank you for the podcast!
I’ve got a chance to meet Arber in Bouctouche NB this year for Kraft hockeyville and he’s just awesome everything about him took a picture and signed my jersey with a smile on his face love him he better stay in Montreal forever
The absolute coolest dude. Saw him during warm up at a game this year, just hanging out near the boards tossing pucks up to fans. Nobody thought he belonged in the NHL but he don’t give a sh!t. Cus he’s here and making a difference and having fun. Get well soon Arby, can’t wait to have you back next year.
Best podcast in all the land
Thank you so much!!
Dude’s got a great story. I’m sure he is but he should be proud of himself. Quickly becoming my favorite player on the Habs.
That was a great interview guys thanks for doing this most appreciated
Great show guys Everyone had a smile on their face. Keep them coming.
Incredibly modest, down to earth and hard-working. Very happy that Montreal saw a future with Arber, unlike the rest of the teams in the league. Him and Ghule will be a very strong foundation for Montreal's D-corps for years to come.
Outstanding as always 👍
What a great interview! What a great kid! Thanks Knuckles and Tim for getting him as a guest. I’ve seen every podcast and you guys keep killing it.
The thing I love most about Arber is that he keeps _improving._ All of these scouts passing on him has clearly put a Honda-sized chip on his shoulder, a desire to prove to them and the rest of the world that he should've been on those scouting lists, and that he should've been picked, not just with a 6th or 7th-rounder, but in the top 3 or 4 rounds (at least). We still don't know what his ceiling is because his performance has never plateaued...it keeps going up and up, and sure said improvement has been more gradual than with most other prospects, but where those others have stopped improving, he just keeps on going. And so I have to wonder...do the Habs have the next Dustin Byfuglien on their team? Because aside from Byfuglien's tendency to utilize his big bomb from the point (I actually find Arber's preference of a quick wrist shot to be marginally more effective, as it is more accurate, and is more capable of being _tipped_ by a teammate), the resemblance is uncanny. Arber is a great skater, who throws his body around in massive (but timely) hits, and who fights well (when necessary). He possesses an excellent first pass to start the rush, has sound offensive instincts (even quarterbacking the powerplay extremely well, considering it's not something he's done much of...yet), while playing an impressive positional game for his age while defending (i.e. with great gap control and an active stick to break up passes). And above all, he is supremely POISED (i.e. he makes FAST, SMART decisions under pressure). This kid is a star in the making, and he's OUR star.
As for a nickname, how 'bout *X-Files.* Because the truth was always out there...and Arber is THE TRUTH. If you're reading this Arber...keep it up man! Never stop believing that you can be a better player, because as long as you keep that belief, as long as you keep nit-picking little details about your game upon which you know you can improve...you will have a place in this league, on this team, and in the heart of every Habs' fan. And that applies to life outside hockey as well. We are all capable of so much if we just decide not to settle for what we already are, what we already can do.
Great show! M. Nilan you are a great interviewer, keep on... this is great!
As for Arber they a found a true canadian...reminiscance of old time !
Thank you so much for the support and for taking the time to share your comments, means a lot!
Hamiltoe represent!! Let’s goooo!
Thank you !!
Awesome interview love watching Xhekaj play
😮 one of the best shows out there, keep up the good work, Knuckles
Hope Arber stays with MTL for years! Love the young core we got right now we can feel the team spirit!
What a great interview!
We have got gold with this kid. We will all be talking tales about this guy in 25 years! A legend in the making 100%
Awesome episode! Keep up the great podcasts!
Knucks keep up the great job love the podcast, and you and Tony last night were awesome!!
Thank you Steve, appreciate it!
Great work getting him on the podcast
I would like to be a hockey player in the NHL, would Xhekaj recommend getting a job at Cosco ? joking... beautiful interview... love you all keep on the great work Merci
This was a great interview! Go Arber Go!
Happy to see Chris, really looking great 👍🏼👑👑
A fantastic young man! Great hockey player! Cheers!
Now your talking.... excellent
Such a great interview. Takes one to know one!
Lovely interview!! Luck had it that I was at the game he scored his first NHL goal and everyone got real loud for him.
Looking forward to what Arber and the rest of the young guns have in store for us!
Again great interview you guys rock
Fantastic interview!!!!!!!!
Wow Knuckles what a great show. I love it, your so good for the kids, You do have the CH tattooed on your heart man
crazy good podcast Knuckles
What an excellent interview. Cheers! GHG
Knuckles is my idol , Arber is following his footsteps, so happy to have him in my team!
Thanks much appreciated
being a habs fan all of my life and Arber Xhekaj was the first jersey I ever wanted to own. I did just that this year. Wearing proudly during the game
He's become a fan favorite!! Love this kid
What a great kid. hope he keeps up is great play An other great podcast Chris
That was cool. Xhekaj is impressive. The interview was well done, too. Now, I am interested to see what happens with his brother's hockey career.
Great show, keep up the good fight Arber. 👏
The minute I watched him play in Windsor against our Spitfires - I knew he was special. One of our Fans was chirping him the whole game and he made eye contact with them and chirped right back- I said Finally an OHL Guy with Character!!!- NHL all the way. CONGRATULATIONS!! Your story is so encouraging for other D Men that are overlooked - undrafted- definitely “ Where there is a Will, There is a Way!” Go HABS!
He is the kind of player that you absolutely need on your team to win. - special in the Playoffs
That was great.
Awesome awesome awesome! Tim, love your laundry room brother, crown moldings very impressive! Was a fun podcast.
I just love Arber. I’ve been following him since the Habs invited him to camp and signed him. I was hoping he could be our Lyle Odelein 2.0 and so far, he doesn’t disappoint; I’m thrilled at how fast he’s adjusted to the NHL game. I bought yet another Habs jersey this year (already had 3) and this new one’s rockin’ # 72 !
tanks to cris to introduce nicely arber to us to me i can see a wise kid out of the ice immagine at 28 he will rock
great interview
Arber the man
Dman that score, play d well and smash peoples who deserve it . Pretty lucky to have him
I just found the podcast and knuckles MR NILAN won me over again . Insightful interviews , mad respect for the MAN .✊
Thank you Gord, much appreciated
Heck, I’m not even an Habs fan but I love this kid. Humble and well raised but still tough like very few in the league. He also seems to have a good set of skills. Montréal now has DX Man to keep the morons from other teams honest on the ice. Great job from the Habs management and from Martin St-Louis. 👍🏻
Great kid! Great interview!
And we got is brother too :) perfect
Wow great interview, I love this guy, I wish sometimes that he could park himself in front of the net and score some goals on the rebounds since Monahan and Galy are out right now.