Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
Following their game versus the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday night, the Montreal Canadiens announced that forward Florian Xhekaj and defenceman Adam Engström had been loaned back to the Laval Rocket of the AHL.
Les Canadiens ont cédé l’attaquant Florian Xhekaj et le défenseur Adam Engstrom au Rocket de Laval.
The Canadiens have loaned forward Florian Xhekaj and defenseman Adam Engstrom to the Laval Rocket.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) December 4, 2025
Xhekaj played five consecutive games for Montreal, starting with his NHL debut on Saturday, November 22 at the Bell Centre. He recorded his first NHL point in that game to kick of his first stint in the big leagues.
Engström was rewarded for his great start to the season in Laval by being the defenceman the Canadiens called up for their road trip, a job previously reserved for veteran Marc Del Gaizo. Engström ended up playing two games, getting about 24 total minutes of ice time.
Both players will be big additions to a Laval Rocket team that still managed to knock off one of the best teams in the AHL, the Providence Bruins, without them. They will remain top options for later recalls, especially as the holiday season approaches with the Habs on the road.
Laval’s next game is Friday evening in Belleville versus the Ottawa Senators’ eponymous farm team. The Rocket will be trying to extend a lead over their rival that currently stands at eight points.