Arber Xhekaj Parents Simona Xhekaj And Jack Xhekaj: Family & Siblings Explored
Arber Xhekaj is a rising star in the National Hockey League (NHL). He plays as a defenseman for the Montreal Canadiens, one of the most successful and popular teams in the league. He made his debut on October 12, 2022, after being undrafted in the 2020 and 2021 NHL seasons. He has impressed many fans and critics with his skills, speed, and toughness on the ice.
But behind his hockey success, there is a fascinating family story that deserves to be told. Arber Xhekaj is the son of two immigrants and former athletes who came from different parts of Europe and met in Canada. His parents, Jack and Simona, have overcome many challenges and hardships to give their children a better life and support their dreams.
Jack Xhekaj: From Albania To Canada
Jack Xhekaj, whose real name is also Arber, was born in Albania, a small country in Southeast Europe. He is an Albanian Kosovar, meaning he belongs to the ethnic Albanian minority in Kosovo, a former province of Yugoslavia that declared its independence in 2008.
Jack grew up during the turbulent times of the Yugoslav Wars, a series of conflicts that erupted in the 1990s and involved several countries in the Balkan region. Jack was 18 years old when the Kosovo War broke out in 1998, a violent clash between the Serbian forces and the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), a rebel group that fought for the independence of Kosovo.
Jack’s family was in danger of being persecuted or killed by the Serbs, who committed many atrocities against the Albanian population. Jack’s mother, who worked for the government, urged him to flee the country and avoid being drafted into the national army. She managed to get him a passport with the help of his uncle, who also worked for the government.
Jack then escaped to Macedonia, a neighboring country, and from there, he traveled to Sweden, where he hoped to find refuge. However, his journey was not easy. He had to face many obstacles and risks along the way, such as border controls, smugglers, and hostile locals.
Arber Xhekaj Family
| Name | Arber Xhekaj |
|---|---|
| Birth date | January 30, 2001 |
| Birthplace | Hamilton, Ontario, Canada |
| Nationality | Canadian / Czech / Albanian |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) |
| Weight | 240 lb (109 kg) |
| Position | Defence |
| Shoots | Left |
| NHL team | Montreal Canadiens |
| NHL Draft | Undrafted |
| Parents | Simona Xhekaj And Jack Xhekaj |
| Siblings | Florian Xhekaj |
| @arberxhekaj_/ | |
| Wikipedia | @Arber_Xhekaj |
Simona Xhekaj: From Czechia To Canada
Simona Xhekaj was born in Hradec Králové, a city in Czechoslovakia, now the Czech Republic. She was a teacher in her home country, where she taught elementary school children. She was also a volleyball player, who played for a local club.
Simona left her home in 1989, after the Velvet Revolution, a peaceful movement that ended the communist rule in Czechoslovakia. She wanted to explore the world and learn new things. She moved to England, where she enrolled in an English course. She also worked as a waitress and a nanny to support herself.
Simona enjoyed her life in England, but she wanted to see more places. She had a friend who lived in Canada and invited her to visit. Simona agreed and bought a plane ticket to Hamilton, Ontario. She was 24 years old when she arrived in Canada and had to start from scratch.
See Also:- Who Is Rema Vassar? Wikipedia BIO, Age
Arber Xhekaj And His Siblings: Born And Raised In Canada
Arber Xhekaj was born on January 20, 2001, in Hamilton, Ontario. He was the first child of Jack and Simona, who were overjoyed to welcome their son. They named him Arber, after his father’s real name, as a tribute to his heritage and courage.
Arber was followed by three more children: a brother and two sisters. They grew up in a loving and supportive family, where they learned to appreciate their parents’ sacrifices and values. They also learned to speak three languages: English, Albanian, and Czech.
Arber showed an interest in sports from an early age. He played soccer, like his father, and volleyball, like his mother. But his true passion was hockey, a sport that he discovered and loved in Canada. He started playing hockey when he was six years old, and he never stopped.
He joined the Hamilton Huskies, a local hockey club, where he played in the Alliance Hockey league. He played as a defenseman, a position that requires strength, agility, and intelligence. He was a talented and hard-working player, who always gave his best on the ice.
However, he faced some challenges and setbacks in his hockey career. He was undrafted at the 2017 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Selection draft, a major event that selects the best young players in the province. He was disappointed, but he did not give up.
He continued to play hockey in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL), a lower-tier league, with the St. Catharines Falcons. He improved his skills and gained more experience. He also caught the attention of the Kitchener Rangers, a team in the OHL, who invited him to join them in 2018.
Arber played with the Kitchener Rangers for two seasons, where he proved himself as a reliable and effective defenseman. He also hoped to be drafted by an NHL team, the highest level of professional hockey in the world. He was eligible for the 2020 and 2021 NHL drafts, but he was overlooked both times.
Arber Xhekaj is a hockey player with a remarkable family story. He is the son of two immigrants and former athletes who came from different parts of Europe and met in Canada. His parents, Jack and Simona, have overcome many challenges and hardships to give their children a better life and support their dreams. Arber has followed his parents’ footsteps and has become a fighter and a dreamer. He has faced some obstacles and rejections in his hockey career, but he has never given up. He has worked hard and persevered to reach the NHL, the highest level of his sport. He has also made his family and his country proud.
Read Also:- Who Is Hitha Herzog? Wikipedia Bio, Age
