Abbotsford Canucks re-sign forward Jujhar Khaira to one-year AHL contract

Playing through the latter half of last season for Abbotsford, Khaira scored three goals and added five assists in 17 games played. Born in Surrey, BC, the local kid played in all 24 playoff games for Abbotsford last season, en route to the Calder Cup. Playing primarily as centre on the team’s third line, he tallied three goals, six assists, and 31 penalty minutes, finishing with a plus-4 rating.

Rumours of a possible return for Khaira began to circulate earlier this week amid a slew of injuries to the Vancouver Canucks roster, including forwards Teddy Blueger, Nils Hoglander, Filip Chytil, and Jonathan Lekkerimäki. The roster crunch forced the call-ups of multiple members of Abbotsford’s opening night roster, including Nils Aman, Joseph LaBate, and Max Sasson. In their place, Khaira is one piece the AHL franchise is bringing in to try to shore up its roster and defend its title this season. In addition to Khaira, they also signed Arnaud Durandeau to a professional tryout agreement this week.

Khaira was originally selected by the Edmonton Oilers early in the third round of the 2012 NHL entry draft. He played the first seven years of his professional career with the Oilers franchise and their AHL affiliates. In July 2021, he signed a two-year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks after the then-RFA was not tendered a qualifying offer from the Oilers. In 2023, he inked a one-year contract with the Minnesota Wild, where he last saw NHL action in a single appearance, playing most of the season in the AHL with the Iowa Wild.

Last September, he signed a one-year AHL contract with the Syracuse Crunch, an affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning. In March, he was traded to Abbotsford in exchange for future considerations. Across 337 NHL appearances, Khaira has 33 goals and 80 points. Standing at 6-foot-4, 212 lb., he’s most known for his large presence on the ice, often playing in the bottom six.