Advertisement

Oilers prospect Jujhar Khaira aims for a big year in Everett

Kelly Friesen

Jujhar Khaira is ready to show the Dub what he’s all about in his rookie season with the Everett Silvertips.

“I’m really looking forward to this season,” says Khaira, who left Michigan Tech after just one season to join the Silvertips. “I want to make an immediate impact and have a big year. I want to be a guy that they can count on to play hard every night.”

There is ample opportunity in Everett’s offense for the 6-foot-3, 195-pound forward to succeed. Their leading point scorer last year, Joshua Winquist, only potted 51 points, albeit he only played 51 games. Behind him, only three other players scored north of 40 points. Khaira isn’t putting extra pressure on his own shoulders to carry of the offense, though.

“I’m not setting any goals for points or thinking I have to do too much,” says the Edmonton Oilers prospect, who scored 25 points in 37 games last year with Michigan Tech. “I’m just going to work hard and try to show consistent improvements in my game.”

Khaira’s decision to join the Silvertips came down to what he felt was the best move for his long-term hockey career. He believes the WHL’s 72-game schedule and rougher style will better prepare him for the NHL in his 19-year-old season.

“The schedule was one of the reasons I left (Michigan Tech),” says Khaira. “The longer schedule and more demanding schedule will help me get ready for the NHL. It’s a tough league with fights and a lot of big hits, so that too will help to get me ready (for the NHL).”

The Oilers’ entry-level contract offer to Khaira also played a role in his decision to leave the NCAA. He and his family felt it was a fair offer and ultimately too good of one to pass up.

“When I got the offer I thought it was a good offer and a big step for me to make the NHL,” says Khaira. “It came down to a family decision, though. We made the decision together and looked at all of my options together with my agent.”

Khaira got a taste of what it takes to play in The Show at the Oilers’ rookie camp. He felt it was a great experience, but unfortunately had to fight through some injuries during the process.

“I thought I played pretty well at the camp,” he says. “It was good to experience it and get to play with some great players. But I had to miss a couple of games because of some injuries I had to deal with. It would have been nice to play all of the games.”

Despite dealing with minor injuries, Khaira turned several heads at the camp, including Edmonton Journal writer David Staples. He impressed so much that the long-time Oilers writer felt he might be ready to make an immediate jump to the AHL’s Oklahoma City Barons.

One Oilers prospect did stand out in a good way, Jujhar Khaira, the Oilers third round pick in 2012. The Oilers have plenty of large and promising players on defence, but Khaira is one of the few large and promising Oilers forwards prospects. He’s 6-foot, 3-inches, 198 pounds. He’s also got some skill, which he flashed against the Jets rookies, involving himself in several decent Oilers scoring chances.

Khaira most impressed with his board work and in front of the net. He takes hits to make plays. He gives hard hits. He screen the goalies. He shields the puck with his body. One might wonder if Oklahoma City Barons head coach Todd Nelson is wondering right now if Khaira might not make a decent replacement for Teemu Hartikainen on the Barons power play. They are similar players, though Khaira is taller. He just turned 19 and might well be heavier than Hartikainen one day as well.

Khaira definitely wouldn’t have complained if the Oilers felt he should go straight to the AHL, but he sees the value in waiting one more year.

“I want to play at the best level I can, but I want to be fully ready to make that jump,” he says. “Playing in the WHL will help get me ready to get there.”

Kelly Friesen is a Buzzing the Net columnist for Yahoo! Sports. Follow him on Twitter @KellyFriesen