Patrick Williams, TheAHL.com Options Author
Hardly ever – very not often – does the always-on-the-go world of professional hockey permit 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 dwelling for the primary time since he was a 17-year-old within the British Columbia Junior Hockey League. After shifting 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 outdoors of Vancouver.
After signing an AHL contract with Syracuse over the summer time, Khaira missed the beginning of this season as a consequence 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 advised 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 combat heading into the ultimate weeks of the common season. Abbotsford is in the midst of the Pacific Division race, comfy sufficient for a playoff spot although hardly able but to think about something secured. They’re fifth within the Pacific Division after sweeping a pair of video games at dwelling this week from the Condors, certainly one of their divisional pursuers. Subsequent up is a two-game dwelling 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 completely 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 shortly. Räty, who has performed 21 video games in Vancouver this season, is a longtime two-way middle whereas Blais and Khaira are each NHL veterans who can transfer and shut on opposing defenders shortly. The trio mixed for the ultimate aim within the Canucks’ 6-2 win over Bakersfield on Tuesday, and struck once more in Wednesday’s 2-1 rematch victory.
It has been an extended, injury-plagued highway 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 practically 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 dwelling to comfy environment. He mentioned that his father and fiancée attended his Canucks debut. He trains within the space throughout the offseason, and he’s aware of a portion of the Abbotsford roster as effectively.
That familiarity is vital for Khaira. There’s little time for adjustment – new staff, new linemates, new opponents, it’s go time.
“It’s been a whirlwind,” Khaira mentioned. “Everyone right here has been improbable. They’ve made it very easy for me.”
On the American Hockey League beat for 20 years, TheAHL.com options author Patrick Williams additionally at present 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.
