Patrick Williams, TheAHL.com Options Author
Hardly ever – very hardly ever – does the always-on-the-go world of professional hockey enable for homecomings.
To this point the profession of Jujhar Khaira has taken him from Oklahoma Metropolis and Bakersfield within the American Hockey League, to Edmonton, Chicago and Saint Paul within the NHL, and most lately Des Moines and Syracuse again within the AHL.
Now, Khaira is enjoying again house for the primary time since he was a 17-year-old within the British Columbia Junior Hockey League. After transferring right here, there and all over the place for that subsequent alternative, hockey has introduced Khaira to the Abbotsford Canucks, only a fast drive down Freeway 1 from his hometown of Surrey, B.C., simply exterior of Vancouver.
After signing an AHL contract with Syracuse over the summer season, Khaira missed the beginning of this season on account of damage, making his debut with the Crunch on Jan. 10. He produced 9 factors (three targets, six assists) in 18 video games earlier than final weekend’s commerce to Abbotsford.
“At first it’s a shock,” Khaira instructed reporters Tuesday after his first sport following the commerce. “However now being right here, it’s acquainted and I like that. It was a simple transition.”
The Canucks are in a stretch-drive battle heading into the ultimate weeks of the common season. Abbotsford is in the midst of the Pacific Division race, snug sufficient for a playoff spot although hardly able but to contemplate something secured. They’re fifth within the Pacific Division after sweeping a pair of video games at house this week from the Condors, considered one of their divisional pursuers. Subsequent up is a two-game house set with the Calgary Wranglers, who sit solely three factors forward of the Canucks.
Khaira can slot in with the Canucks as an influence ahead, providing depth and reliability. And there’s that have – 337 NHL video games together with six years (2017-23) spent solely within the present.
Canucks head coach Manny Malhotra – like Khaira one of many few gamers of Punjabi descent to play within the NHL – instantly teamed Khaira with Aatu Räty and Sammy Blais, a line with ample expertise that may come collectively rapidly. Räty, who has performed 21 video games in Vancouver this season, is a longtime two-way heart whereas Blais and Khaira are each NHL veterans who can transfer and shut on opposing defenders rapidly. The trio mixed for the ultimate objective within the Canucks’ 6-2 win over Bakersfield on Tuesday, and struck once more in Wednesday’s 2-1 rematch victory.
It has been a protracted, injury-plagued street for Khaira again to B.C. Drafted by Edmonton in 2012, he performed seven seasons within the group earlier than signing as a free agent with Chicago in 2021. He missed almost a month of the 2021-22 season with a head damage following a scary hit from the Rangers’ Jacob Trouba, then wanted season-ending again surgical procedure. He performed simply 23 video games final season between Iowa and Minnesota, after which missed the primary three months this yr. However with 15 video games nonetheless to go for Abbotsford, he can pack a whole lot of motion in earlier than the Calder Cup Playoffs.
And Khaira will take any edge gained by coming near house to snug environment. He stated that his father and fiancée attended his Canucks debut. He trains within the space through the offseason, and he’s aware of a portion of the Abbotsford roster as properly.
That familiarity is essential for Khaira. There’s little time for adjustment – new group, new linemates, new opponents, it’s go time.
“It’s been a whirlwind,” Khaira stated. “Everyone right here has been implausible. They’ve made it very easy for me.”
On the American Hockey League beat for twenty years, TheAHL.com options author Patrick Williams additionally at the moment covers the league for NHL.com and FloSports and is a daily contributor on SiriusXM NHL Community Radio. He was the recipient of the AHL’s James H. Ellery Memorial Award for his excellent protection of the league in 2016.
