Canadiens defenceman Xhekaj to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery

Montreal Canadiens defenceman Arber Xhekaj will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery on Wednesday, the club announced Tuesday. 

The 23-year-old Xhekaj has missed two games since sustaining the injury to his left shoulder in a 7-4 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning last Thursday. 

The Canadiens expect the rugged blueliner to recover in time for the start of next season.

The six-foot-four, 240-pound Xhekaj has split time this season between the Canadiens and the Laval Rocket, Montreal’s American Hockey League affiliate.