The Abbotsford Canucks announced on Saturday night that they have acquired Surrey’s Jujhar Khaira from the Syracuse Crunch in exchange for future considerations.

The 30-year-old left winger has played with the Syracuse Crunch this season, posting three goals and six assists in 18 games.

Khaira was drafted 63rd overall by the Edmonton Oilers in 2012. He’s played in 337 NHL games across eight seasons with the Oilers, Chicago Blackhawks, and Minnesota Wild, scoring 33 goals and 47 assists for 80 points. Khaira brings a hard-working, two-way winger who isn’t afraid to mix things up, as he racked up 229 penalty minutes during his time in the NHL.

Before being selected by the Oilers, Khaira played two full seasons for the Prince George Spruce Kings of the BCHL from 2010-2012, recording 39 goals and 82 assists in 112 games.

A native of Surrey, Khaira became the third player of Punjabi descent to play in the National Hockey League behind Vancouver Canucks alumni Robin Bawa and current Abbotsford Canucks Head Coach Manny Malhotra.

Khaira signed an AHL contract with the Syracuse Crunch, the Tampa Bay Lightning’s farm team, in September 2024. He will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.

He joins an Abbotsford Canucks team short a forward with the likes of Jonathan Lekkerimäki and Nils Aman recently being summound to the NHL club. Aman has played in eight games in Vancouver, registering two assists. Lekkerimäki has two goals and one assist for three points through 13 games with the big club.

The Abbotsford Canucks have added an important veteran forward to their team as they chase a playoff spot in the AHL’s Pacific Division. Abbotsford currently sits tied for sixth in the pacific division standings heading into tonight’s game against the San Jose Barracuda.

Here is one of Khaira’s 33 goals, scored against the organization he’s now joining, the Canucks.