Jujhar Khaira Bio
Jujhar Khaira (born August 13, 1994) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who is currently an unrestricted free agent. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing around 213 pounds, he most recently played for the Abbotsford Canucks of the American Hockey League (AHL). Over the course of his career, Khaira has suited up in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Edmonton Oilers, Chicago Blackhawks, and Minnesota Wild.
Born and raised in British Columbia, Khaira developed through the minor-junior and collegiate ranks before signing his first professional contract. He is recognized as only the third player of Punjabi Indian descent to appear in an NHL game, following Robin Bawa and Manny Malhotra.
Early Life and Background
Jujhar Khaira was born on August 13, 1994, in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. He grew up in a household with deep roots in competitive sport. His parents were prominent volleyball players in British Columbia during the 1980s, and their athletic background helped shape Khaira’s early approach to organized sports.
Khaira is a Sikh, and his Punjabi heritage has been a notable part of his identity throughout his hockey career. His brother, Sahvan Khaira, attended the University of Calgary and played for the Calgary Dinos ice hockey team, reinforcing the family’s ties to the sport.
Path to Hockey
Khaira began his competitive hockey career in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) with the Prince George Spruce Kings. After his second season with the Spruce Kings, he was selected 63rd overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Shortly after being drafted, Khaira committed to play collegiate ice hockey with Michigan Tech of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA).
Following his freshman season with the Michigan Tech Huskies in 2012–13, Khaira left college to pursue a major-junior career closer to home in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Everett Silvertips. On August 7, 2013, he was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract by the Edmonton Oilers, formally launching his professional trajectory.
Jujhar Khaira Career
Early Career (2013–2015)
In the 2013–14 season, Khaira posted 43 points in 59 games with the Everett Silvertips. After the Silvertips were eliminated in the first round of the postseason, Khaira made his professional debut with the Oilers’ AHL affiliate, the Oklahoma City Barons, joining the club for their postseason run.
When the Oilers’ AHL affiliation moved to the Bakersfield Condors, Khaira transitioned to the new affiliate for the 2015–16 season. He was called up to the Oilers on November 26, 2015, and played his first NHL game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on November 28. That season, Khaira appeared in 15 NHL games and recorded two assists.
Edmonton Oilers Breakthrough (2015–2021)
During his second NHL game of the 2016–17 season, on January 16, 2017, Khaira scored his first NHL goal against Mike Smith of the Arizona Coyotes. On December 9, 2016, he earned his first multi-goal game, scoring twice against Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens. These moments established Khaira as a regular recall option for the Oilers.
Khaira spent six seasons within the Edmonton organization, splitting time between the Condors and the Oilers. Following the 2020–21 season, his sixth season in Edmonton, Khaira was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Oilers on July 26, 2021, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Chicago Blackhawks Era (2021–2022)
On July 28, 2021, Khaira signed a two-year, $1.95 million contract with the Chicago Blackhawks. His first season in Chicago was disrupted by injuries. He missed nearly a month after suffering a concussion following a collision with Jacob Trouba on December 7, and later suffered a back injury nine games after returning that required season-ending surgery. Khaira finished the year with three goals in 27 games for the Blackhawks.
Minnesota Wild Era (2023–2024)
On September 17, 2023, Khaira signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Minnesota Wild. Minnesota recalled Khaira on October 26 from the Iowa Wild, providing another NHL opportunity late in his career.
Syracuse Crunch and Abbotsford Canucks (2024–Present)
On September 6, 2024, Khaira signed a one-year American Hockey League contract with the Syracuse Crunch, the primary affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning. In the 2024–25 season, Khaira added veteran presence to the Crunch forward corps, recording 3 goals and 9 points through 18 appearances. On March 8, 2025, Khaira was traded by the Crunch to the Abbotsford Canucks in exchange for future considerations, where he finished the season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Khaira is recognized as a physical, two-way forward whose 6-foot-4 frame allows him to play a heavy, north-south style. He built his reputation on responsible defensive play, penalty killing, and forechecking, while offering enough skill to contribute offensively in depth roles.
Notable Events and Milestones
Khaira’s NHL debut on November 28, 2015, against the Pittsburgh Penguins was a milestone moment, making him only the third player of Punjabi Indian descent to play in the NHL. His first NHL goal against Mike Smith and his two-goal game against Carey Price remain signature moments of his time with the Edmonton Oilers.
Jujhar Khaira Career Wins
While individual goal tallies across each stop are not fully verifiable, Khaira’s career is best measured by his longevity across multiple NHL and AHL organizations. He recorded two assists in 15 NHL games during his rookie NHL season, scored his first NHL goal in January 2017, and posted 43 points in 59 games during his final WHL season with the Everett Silvertips.
NHL Highlights
Khaira appeared in games for the Edmonton Oilers, Chicago Blackhawks, and Minnesota Wild, contributing offensively in a depth role. His most memorable individual performances came during the 2016–17 NHL season, when he scored his first NHL goal and later netted his first multi-goal game against the Montreal Canadiens.
Other Wins & Performances
In the AHL, Khaira served as a veteran contributor for the Bakersfield Condors, Syracuse Crunch, and Abbotsford Canucks, including 9 points in 18 games with Syracuse in 2024–25. His professional debut with the Oklahoma City Barons during their 2014 postseason run also stands as a notable early milestone.
Jujhar Khaira Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Khaira comes from an athletic family rooted in British Columbia. His parents were prominent volleyball players in the province during the 1980s, and his brother, Sahvan Khaira, attended the University of Calgary and played for the Calgary Dinos ice hockey team. Khaira is a Sikh, and he has spoken about representing the Punjabi community within professional hockey.
Personal Life
Khaira was born and raised in Surrey, British Columbia, and maintains ties to the Lower Mainland and Alberta through family. Beyond his family connections and cultural heritage, additional public details about his personal life are not widely documented.
2025 Season Performance
Jujhar Khaira entered the 2024–25 season with the Syracuse Crunch, where he served as a veteran forward and produced 3 goals and 9 points across 18 appearances. His steady presence helped stabilize the Crunch forward group early in the year.
On March 8, 2025, Khaira was traded by the Syracuse Crunch to the Abbotsford Canucks in exchange for future considerations. He finished the season with the Abbotsford Canucks, continuing his role as a reliable veteran in the AHL.
As an unrestricted free agent heading into the next NHL campaign, Khaira remains available to NHL clubs seeking a physical, defensively responsible forward with experience across multiple organizations. His mix of size, penalty-killing ability, and professional approach keeps him as a viable depth option at both the NHL and AHL levels.