Leafs prospect Chas Sharpe dropped the gloves with Florian Xhekaj, brother of Arber Xhekaj, just two minutes into his first shift at rookie camp.
The fight broke out during a small scrum near Leafs goalie Dennis Hildeby's net in the rookie game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens. Tensions quickly escalated, leading to a physical showdown between Xhekaj and Sharpe.
Watch the fight in the videos below:
-
-
Players often use rookie games to prove their value, and Xhekaj showcased his physical side, much like his older brother. Standing 6'4", Xhekaj faced off against the 6'3" Sharpe and brought him to the ice with a few punches.
-
Both players are expected to spend next season in the AHL. Xhekaj signed an entry-level contract in April, while Sharpe is on a two-year AHL deal. If things go well with the Laval Rocket, Canadiens fans might see Xhekaj in the NHL soon.
In a few years, the Habs could be one of the toughest teams to face with Arber Xhekaj on defense and Florian in the bottom six. As for Sharpe, he'll need to prove to the Leafs that he deserves a spot before his AHL contract ends.
Also read on Puck Reporter :
Insider Elliotte Friedman reveals why the Boston Bruins were forced to trade Linus Ullmark before July 1st