Jujhar Khaira Bio
Jujhar Khaira, born on August 13, 1994, in Surrey, British Columbia, is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 212 pounds, Khaira is a left-shooting forward who has built a reputation as a physical, two-way player across multiple North American leagues. He is currently an unrestricted free agent after spending the 2024–25 season with the Abbotsford Canucks of the American Hockey League (AHL), and he has previously skated in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Edmonton Oilers, Chicago Blackhawks, and Minnesota Wild.
Khaira was selected 63rd overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, making him one of the highest-drafted players of Punjabi Indian descent in league history. Across his career, he has been recognized for his willingness to play a hard, responsible game, often lining up in checking-line roles and contributing on both the penalty kill and the power play.
Early Life and Background
Jujhar Khaira was born and raised in Surrey, British Columbia, a city in the Greater Vancouver area known for its deep hockey roots. Growing up in British Columbia gave him early access to rinks and competitive youth programs, and he developed his game in a region that has produced numerous NHL-caliber players.
Hockey ran in the Khaira family. His parents were prominent volleyball players in British Columbia during the 1980s, instilling in their children a strong appreciation for athletics and competitive sport. His brother, Sahvan Khaira, attended the University of Calgary and played for the Calgary Dinos ice hockey team, reinforcing the family’s deep connection to sport.
Khaira is a practicing Sikh, and his cultural background has been a notable part of his public identity. In 2015, he became only the third player of Punjabi Indian descent to appear in an NHL game, following Robin Bawa and Manny Malhotra, a milestone that highlighted the growing diversity of the league.
Path to Hockey
Khaira’s path to professional hockey began in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), a Junior A circuit based in his home province. He spent two seasons with the Prince George Spruce Kings, where his combination of size, skating ability, and offensive touch caught the attention of NHL scouts across the league.
After his second BCHL season, Khaira committed to play collegiate ice hockey at Michigan Tech of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA). Following his freshman year with the Huskies in 2012–13, he decided to leave college and pursue a major junior career closer to home, joining the Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League (WHL).
On August 7, 2013, shortly after his WHL transition, Khaira signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Edmonton Oilers. In 2013–14, he posted 43 points in 59 games with the Silvertips, then made his professional debut with the Oilers’ AHL affiliate, the Oklahoma City Barons, joining their postseason run.
Jujhar Khaira Career
Early Career (2014–2015)
Khaira began his professional career in the AHL as Edmonton transitioned its affiliate from Oklahoma City to the Bakersfield Condors. During the 2015–16 NHL season, he earned his first NHL call-up when the Oilers brought him up on November 26, 2015. He made his NHL debut on November 28, 2015, against the Pittsburgh Penguins, recording two assists across 15 games at the top level that season.
That debut campaign established Khaira as a depth forward with NHL upside. He split time between Bakersfield and Edmonton, learning the pace and physicality required to play regularly in the world’s top league while continuing to develop his two-way game in the minors.
Edmonton Oilers Breakthrough (2015–2021)
Khaira became a regular call-up for the Oilers during the 2016–17 season, gradually earning a more permanent roster spot. On January 16, 2017, he scored his first NHL goal, beating goaltender Mike Smith of the Arizona Coyotes. Later that season, on December 9, he recorded his first multi-goal game, scoring twice against Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens, a result that helped cement his role as a bottom-six contributor.
Over the next several seasons, Khaira settled into a checking-line role with Edmonton, providing physicality, penalty-killing reliability, and occasional secondary scoring. He played parts of six NHL seasons with the Oilers, including his most extensive look in 2018–19 and 2019–20, when he appeared in more than 50 games each year. Following the 2020–21 season, the Oilers did not tender him a qualifying offer, making him a free agent.
Chicago Blackhawks Era (2021–2022)
On July 28, 2021, Khaira signed a two-year contract worth $1.95 million with the Chicago Blackhawks. His first season in Chicago was disrupted by injuries, including a concussion suffered on December 7 following a collision with Jacob Trouba of the New York Rangers, which sidelined him for nearly a month. After returning, he suffered a back injury that required season-ending surgery, limiting him to three goals in 27 games.
Minnesota Wild Era (2023–2024)
After a period away from the NHL, Khaira signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Minnesota Wild on September 17, 2023. Minnesota recalled him from its AHL affiliate, the Iowa Wild, on October 26, giving him another opportunity at the top level. He continued to play a depth, energy-driven role, contributing on the forecheck and penalty kill.
Syracuse Crunch and Abbotsford Canucks (2024–2025)
On September 6, 2024, Khaira signed a one-year AHL contract with the Syracuse Crunch, the primary affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning. He added veteran presence to the Crunch forward corps, notching three goals and nine points in 18 appearances. On March 8, 2025, he was traded by Syracuse to the Abbotsford Canucks in exchange for future considerations, finishing the season with Vancouver’s top minor-league affiliate.
Driving Style and Strengths
Khaira is known for a power-forward style built around his 6-foot-4 frame and willingness to engage physically along the boards and in front of the net. Coaches have consistently relied on him for penalty-killing duties and for matching up against opposing teams’ top lines, valuing his responsible defensive play. His ability to play a straight-line, north-south game has made him a trusted bottom-six forward at both the NHL and AHL levels.
Notable Events and Milestones
Khaira’s most meaningful milestones include becoming the third player of Punjabi Indian descent to play in the NHL, scoring his first NHL goal against Mike Smith, and his multi-goal performance versus Carey Price. His selection 63rd overall in the 2012 NHL Draft also marked him as a top prospect out of the BCHL, a notable achievement for a Junior A product.
Jujhar Khaira Career Wins
While Jujhar Khaira has not been a prolific goal-scorer at the NHL level, he has compiled a steady résumé of contributions across multiple organizations. His most productive offensive season came in 2013–14 with the Everett Silvertips, when he posted 43 points in 59 WHL games, a performance that helped launch his professional career.
NHL and AHL Highlights
At the NHL level, Khaira has recorded multiple goals and assists across stints with the Edmonton Oilers, Chicago Blackhawks, and Minnesota Wild. His first NHL goal, scored on January 16, 2017, and his two-goal game against the Montreal Canadiens later that season stand out as career highlights, along with several multi-point efforts while skating in a checking-line role.
Other Wins and Performances
In the AHL, Khaira has been a reliable depth scorer and leader, including his 2024–25 campaign split between the Syracuse Crunch and Abbotsford Canucks, where he posted three goals and nine points in 18 games. Across the BCHL, WHL, and AHL, he has shown consistent two-way play and veteran poise.
Jujhar Khaira Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Khaira’s parents were accomplished volleyball players in British Columbia during the 1980s, and their athletic background shaped a competitive household. His brother, Sahvan Khaira, played for the Calgary Dinos ice hockey team at the University of Calgary, continuing the family’s strong sporting tradition.
Personal Life
Khaira is a practicing Sikh and has spoken about the importance of representing his cultural heritage in professional hockey. As one of only a handful of players of Punjabi Indian descent to reach the NHL, he has been a visible figure in conversations about diversity and inclusion in the sport.
2025 Season Performance
Jujhar Khaira entered the 2024–25 season with the Syracuse Crunch, where he quickly provided a veteran presence on a young forward group. Through 18 appearances, he recorded three goals and nine points while mentoring younger players and contributing on special teams.
On March 8, 2025, Khaira was traded to the Abbotsford Canucks in exchange for future considerations, joining Vancouver’s top AHL affiliate for the stretch run. His late-season move gave him a chance to compete in a new system and showcase his two-way reliability down the stretch.
As an unrestricted free agent heading into 2025, Khaira remains a dependable bottom-six forward option for NHL organizations seeking size, penalty-killing ability, and a high-energy style. His track record across the Oilers, Blackhawks, Wild, Crunch, and Canucks organizations suggests he will have opportunities to continue his professional career at either the NHL or AHL level.