Last October, “Panger” accidentally pronounced Montréal D-man Arber Xhekaj’s name something very wanky in broadcast.
Restricted free agent defenseman Arber Xhekaj signed a two-year, $2.6 million contract with the Montréal Canadiens last week.
During a broadcast on Oct. 14, 2023 when the Blackhawks lost 3-2 at the Bell Centre, Blackhawks TV analyst Darren Pang accidentally mispronounced Xhekaj’s name as “jerkoff.” It should be something more like “ja-kai” https://youtu.be/8NLJ7rHo4SI for the big blueliner from Hamilton, Ontario, who’s of Albanian and Czech descent.
Pang and then play-by-play man Chris Vosters quickly cut off-air, but not before a giggle or two.
Well, it was whacky for a moment. Considering Chicago finished the season at 23-53-6, it might have been a highlight.
Xhekaj, 23, recorded 10 points (three goals, seven assists) and a team-high 81 penalty minutes in 44 games for the Canadiens last season. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Xhekaj ranked second on the club in rating (plus-6) and fourth in hits (125).
Xhekaj has totaled 23 points (eight goals, 15 assists) and 182 penalty minutes in 95 career games since signing with Montréal as an undrafted free agent.
