Khaira Named WCHA Rookie of the Week

Jujhar Khaira (16) with the Spruce Kings last season

It should come as no surprise to anyone that saw him play in a Spruce Kings jersey the previous two seasons that Jujhar Khaira has been turning heads in his new position with the Michigan Tech Huskies. Khaira did that with ease as a 16 year old rookie in the BCHL and even more so in his second season playing for the Spruce Kings.

Khaira, an 18 year old forward this season, was drafted by the NHL Edmonton Oilers out of the Spruce Kings dressing room this past season, selected 61st overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. The big powerful forward earned his selection through solid play with the Spruce Kings earning a reputation for being able to win any puck battle along the wall and find an open player in scoring position.

Playing in the NCAA, Khaira has elevated his play even higher and this past weekend he earned the prestigious Rookie of the Week honours, helping his Huskies pick up a pair of wins over Bemidji State. The following is the article from the Michigan Tech Huskies official website.

Jujhar Khaira Named WCHA Rookie of the Week

MADISON, Wis. – Michigan Tech forward Jujhar Khaira, who had a breakout weekend with four points as the visiting Huskies fashioned a pair of overtime league victories at Bemidji State last weekend, has been named the Red Baron® WCHA Rookie of the Week for Nov. 20.

A 6-3, 195-pound freshman center from Surrey, B.C., Khaira scored two power-play goals in the final eight minutes last Friday (Nov. 16) night at Sanford Center in Bemidji to tie the score at 4-4, then contributed the primary assist on teammate Alex Petan's game-winner at 2:12 of the extra session as Tech rallied for a 5-4 triumph.

Khaira then had the primary assist on the overtime game-winner in last Saturday's (Nov. 17) 2-1 win, setting up teammate Blake Pietila for the deciding marker at 4:30. Along with his four points in the series, he also totaled seven shots on goal and earned a +1 plus/minus rating.

A draftee of the NHL's Edmonton Oilers, Khaira is tied for third in scoring overall among WCHA freshmen with eight points (2g, 6a) in 10 games played.

Khaira joins goaltender Pheonix Copley as Tech's second WCHA Player of the Week this season. Copley was rookie of the week Oct. 22.

Jujhar Khaira is playing in his first season with the Michigan Tech Huskies alongside a pair of Spruce Kings alumni. Defenceman Justin Fillion is in his second season with the Huskies, while goaltender Kevin Genoe is in his fourth and final year of NCAA hockey.