TimeStampBot at 15:43, 3 October 2023

2023-10-03T15:43:34Z

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{{Short description|Canadian ice hockey player}}
{{Use Canadian English|date= October 2023}}
{{Infobox ice hockey player
| name = Jujhar Khaira
| image = Jujhar Khaira.jpg
| image_size = 230px
| caption = Khaira with the [[Bakersfield Condors]] in 2017
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|8|13}}
| birth_place = [[Surrey, British Columbia]], Canada
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 4
| weight_lb = 212
| position = [[Winger (ice hockey)|Left Wing]]
| shoots = Left
| league = [[National Hockey League|NHL]]
| team = [[Minnesota Wild]]
| prospect_team =
| prospect_league = [[American Hockey League|AHL]]
| former_teams = [[Edmonton Oilers]]<br>[[Chicago Blackhawks]]
| draft = 63rd overall
| draft_year = 2012
| draft_team = [[Edmonton Oilers]]
| career_start = 2014
| career_end =
}}
'''Jujhar Khaira ''' (born August 13, 1994) is a Canadian professional [[ice hockey]] [[Centre (ice hockey)|centre]] who currently plays for the [[Minnesota Wild]] of the [[National Hockey League]] (NHL). He has previously played for the [[Edmonton Oilers]] and [[Chicago Blackhawks]].

==Playing career==
Khaira was drafted by the Oilers after his second season in the [[British Columbia Hockey League]] with the [[Prince George Spruce Kings]]. Shortly after the draft, Khaira committed to play collegiate hockey with [[Michigan Technological University|Michigan Tech]] of the [[Western Collegiate Hockey Association]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Bulldogs defenceman Hyland commits to michigan tech|url=http://bchl.ca/bulldogs-defenceman-hyland-commits-to-michigan-tech|website=BCHL.ca|publisher=Alberni Valley Bulldogs|access-date=19 December 2017|date=4 November 2011|quote=Hyland is the third current BCHL player to commit to Michigan Tech along with Jujhar Khaira and Alex Petan.}}</ref>

At the completion of his freshman season in [[2012–13 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season|2012–13]] with the Huskies, Khaira left college to pursue a major junior career closer to home in the [[Western Hockey League]] with the [[Everett Silvertips]]. On August 7, 2013, he was signed to a three-year entry-level contract with the Edmonton Oilers after being selected in the second round of the NHL draft during the previous year.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://oilers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=679779 |title=Oilers agree to terms with Jujhar Khaira |author=edmontonoilers.com staff |publisher=[[Edmonton Oilers]] |date=2013-08-07 |access-date=2013-08-07}}</ref> In the following [[2013–14 WHL season|2013–14]] season, Khaira posted 43 points in 59 games with the Silvertips. At the elimination in first-round of the post-season, Khaira then made his professional debut with the Oilers AHL affiliate, the [[Oklahoma City Barons]], joining the club for their post-season run.<ref name = "development"/>

In the second year of his entry-level contract, Khaira and the Oilers AHL affiliation moved to the new [[Bakersfield Condors]].<ref name = "development">{{cite web|last1=Wescott|first1=Chris|title=Khaira a good sign of Oilers development|url=https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/khaira-a-good-sign-of-oilers-development/c-791218|website=NHL.com|publisher=Edmonton Oilers|access-date=19 December 2017|location=Edmonton, AB|date=5 December 2015}}</ref> During this [[2015–16 NHL season]], Khaira was called up to the Oilers on November 26, 2015, playing his first NHL game against the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]] on November 28, 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/edmonton-oilers/oilers-nail-yakupov-out-two-to-four-weeks-with-sprained-ankle |title=Oilers Nail Yakupov out two to four weeks with sprained ankle |author=Matheson, Jim |author-link=Jim Matheson (journalist) |work=[[Edmonton Journal]] |date=2015-11-26 |access-date = 2015-11-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/cult-of-hockey/edmonton-oilers-next-best-bet-at-bakersfield-j-j-khaira |last=Staples |first=David |title=Edmonton Oilers next best bet at Bakersfield: JJ Khaira |work=[[Edmonton Journal]] |date=2015-10-31 |access-date=2015-11-27}}</ref> This made Khaira only the third player of [[Punjabis|Punjabi]] Indian descent to play in the NHL, after [[Robin Bawa]] and [[Manny Malhotra]].<ref name=Third/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/oilers-jujhar-khaira-aiming-to-become-third-punjabi-player-to-suit-up-in-nhl/ |title=Oilers' Jujhar Khaira aiming to become third Punjabi player to suit up in NHL |last=Clinton |first=Jared | website = [[The Hockey News]] |date=2015-11-27 |access-date=2015-11-30}}</ref> Khaira played 15 games at the NHL level that season, earning 2 assists.

Khaira was a regular with the Condors for the [[2016–17 NHL season|2016–17]] season, and occasional call up to the NHL Oilers. During his second NHL game that season, on January 16, 2017, Khaira scored his first NHL goal, against [[Mike Smith (ice hockey, born 1982)|Mike Smith]] of the [[Arizona Coyotes]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/edmonton-oilers/oilers-put-coyotes-out-of-their-misery |title=Oilers put Coyotes out of their misery |last=Tychkowski |first=Robert |work=[[Edmonton Journal]] |date=2017-01-17 |access-date=2017-01-17 }}</ref> On December 9 of the same year, Khaira earned his first multi-goal game, scoring twice against [[Carey Price]] of the [[Montreal Canadiens]].<ref>{{Citation|last=NHL|title=Khaira strikes twice in Oilers' 6-2 win against Habs|date=2017-12-09|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=736qw3s9Lz4|access-date=2017-12-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author1=The Canadian Press|title=Khaira scores twice as Oilers chase Price, rout Habs|url=https://www.tsn.ca/khaira-scores-twice-as-oilers-chase-price-rout-habs-1.939490|website=TSN.ca|publisher=TSN|access-date=19 December 2017|location=Montreal|date=9 October 2017}}</ref>

Following the {{nhly|2020}} season, his sixth season in Edmonton, Khaira as a pending restricted free agent was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Oilers on July 26, 2021.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/release-oilers-issue-qualifying-offers-to-four-players/c-325806528 | title = Oilers issue qualifying offers to four players | publisher = [[Edmonton Oilers]] | date = July 26, 2021 | accessdate = July 26, 2021}}</ref>

On July 28, 2021, Khaira signed a two-year, $1.95 million deal with the [[Chicago Blackhawks]].<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/blackhawks/news/release-blackhawks-agree-to-terms-with-jujhar-khaira/c-325840780 | title = Blackhawks agree to terms with Jujhar Khaira | publisher = [[Chicago Blackhawks]] | date = July 28, 2021 | accessdate = July 28, 2021}}</ref> His first season in Chicago was marred with injuries. Khaira missed nearly a month after suffering a concussion following a collision with [[Jacob Trouba]] on December 7.<ref name="injury"/> He suffered a back injury nine games after returning that required season-ending surgery.<ref name="injury"/> Kharia finished the season with three goals in 27 games for the Blackhawks.<ref name="injury">{{cite news |last=Pope |first=Ben |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2022/2/23/22947611/blackhawks-jujhar-khaira-likely-out-for-season-after-back-surgery |title=Blackhawks' Jujhar Khaira likely out for season after back surgery |work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |date=February 23, 2022 |accessdate=February 23, 2022 }}</ref>

==Personal==
Khaira is a [[Sikh]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jujhar Khaira’s first NHL goal a special moment for hockey |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/jujhar-khairas-first-nhl-goal-special-moment-hockey/ |website=SportsNet |quote=Jujhar Khaira learned hockey on the streets of Surrey, B.C., a Sikh kid and his little brother scoring their Game 7, Stanley Cup-winning goals while in runners, shooting a tennis ball}}</ref> and the third NHL player of [[Punjabis|Punjabi]] descent, following [[Robin Bawa]] (starting in 1989) and [[Manny Malhotra]] (starting in 1998).<ref name=Third>{{cite web |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/jujhar-khaira-becomes-just-3rd-ever-punjabi-player-in-nhl-history-012900631.html |title=Jujhar Khaira becomes just 3rd ever Punjabi player in NHL history |author=Wyshynski, Greg |author-link=Greg Wyshynski |work=[[Yahoo! Sports|Puck Daddy]] |date=2015-11-28 |access-date=2015-11-30}}</ref>

Khaira's parents were prominent volleyball players in British Columbia during the 1980s. His brother, Sahvan Khaira, attends the [[University of Calgary]] and formerly played on the [[Calgary Dinos men's ice hockey|Calgary Dinos men's ice hockey team in 2019-2020]].

==Career statistics==
{| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em"
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" |
! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" |
! colspan="5" | [[Regular season]]
! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" |
! colspan="5" | [[Playoffs]]
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! [[Season (sports)|Season]]
! Team
! League
! GP
! [[Goal (ice hockey)|G]]
! [[Assist (ice hockey)|A]]
! [[Point (ice hockey)|Pts]]
! [[Penalty (ice hockey)|PIM]]
! GP
! G
! A
! Pts
! PIM
|-
| 2010–11
| [[Prince George Spruce Kings]]
| [[British Columbia Hockey League|BCHL]]
| 58
| 10
| 32
| 42
| 21
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2011–12
| Prince George Spruce Kings
| BCHL
| 54
| 29
| 50
| 79
| 69
| 4
| 0
| 2
| 2
| 2
|-
| [[2012–13 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season|2012–13]]
| [[Michigan Tech Huskies men's ice hockey|Michigan Tech]]
| [[Western Collegiate Hockey Association|WCHA]]
| 37
| 6
| 19
| 25
| 49
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2013–14 WHL season|2013–14]]
| [[Everett Silvertips]]
| [[Western Hockey League|WHL]]
| 59
| 16
| 27
| 43
| 59
| 5
| 3
| 1
| 4
| 8
|-
| [[2013–14 AHL season|2013–14]]
| [[Oklahoma City Barons]]
| [[American Hockey League|AHL]]
| 6
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 2
| 3
| 1
| 0
| 1
| 0
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2014–15 AHL season|2014–15]]
| Oklahoma City Barons
| AHL
| 51
| 4
| 6
| 10
| 62
| 8
| 3
| 1
| 4
| 4
|-
| [[2015–16 AHL season|2015–16]]
| [[Bakersfield Condors]]
| AHL
| 49
| 10
| 17
| 27
| 69
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2015–16 NHL season|2015–16]]
| [[Edmonton Oilers]]
| [[National Hockey League|NHL]]
| 15
| 0
| 2
| 2
| 13
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|-
| [[2016–17 AHL season|2016–17]]
| Bakersfield Condors
| AHL
| 27
| 8
| 12
| 20
| 31
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2016–17 NHL season|2016–17]]
| Edmonton Oilers
| NHL
| 10
| 1
| 0
| 1
| 2
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|-
| [[2017–18 NHL season|2017–18]]
| Edmonton Oilers
| NHL
| 69
| 11
| 10
| 21
| 47
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2018–19 NHL season|2018–19]]
| Edmonton Oilers
| NHL
| 60
| 3
| 15
| 18
| 43
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|-
| [[2019–20 NHL season|2019–20]]
| Edmonton Oilers
| NHL
| 64
| 6
| 4
| 10
| 38
| 4
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 2
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2020–21 NHL season|2020–21]]
| Edmonton Oilers
| NHL
| 40
| 3
| 8
| 11
| 42
| 4
| 1
| 0
| 1
| 6
|-
| [[2021–22 NHL season|2021–22]]
| [[Chicago Blackhawks]]
| NHL
| 27
| 3
| 0
| 3
| 13
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2022–23 NHL season|2022–23]]
| Chicago Blackhawks
| NHL
| 51
| 6
| 8
| 14
| 31
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" | NHL totals
! 336
! 33
! 47
! 80
! 229
! 8
! 1
! 0
! 1
! 8
|}

==See also==
*[[List of Indian NHL players]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{icehockeystats}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Khaira, Jujhar}}
[[Category:1994 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Bakersfield Condors players]]
[[Category:Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in the United States]]
[[Category:Canadian ice hockey left wingers]]
[[Category:Canadian people of Punjabi descent]]
[[Category:Canadian Sikhs]]
[[Category:Chicago Blackhawks players]]
[[Category:Edmonton Oilers draft picks]]
[[Category:Edmonton Oilers players]]
[[Category:Everett Silvertips players]]
[[Category:Michigan Tech Huskies men's ice hockey players]]
[[Category:Oklahoma City Barons players]]
[[Category:Prince George Spruce Kings players]]
[[Category:Ice hockey people from Surrey, British Columbia]]

Jujhar Khaira - Revision history

TimeStampBot at 15:43, 3 October 2023