New dog up to old tricks

Jujhar Khaira is establishing himself as one of the big dogs with the Michigan Tech Huskies.

Khaira, who spent the past two B.C. Hockey League seasons with the Prince George Spruce Kings, has been named rookie of the week in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. The six-footthree, 195-pound forward was recognized for his work in the week ending Nov. 20.

Khaira, a product of Surrey, was a key figure for the visiting Huskies in a pair of overtime victories against the Bemidji State Beavers last weekend. In a 5-4 decision on Friday, Khaira fired two power-play goals in the final eight minutes to pull the Huskies into a tie. Then, in extra time, he set up Alex Petan for the winner. The goals were Khaira’s first two of the season.

The next night, Khaira helped the Huskies beat the Beavers 2-1 in OT when he again assisted on the game-winner. This time, Blake Pietila pulled the trigger. In the doubleheader, Khaira had seven shots on goal and a plus/minus rating of plusone.

Khaira’s two goals and six assists in 10 games have him tied for third in rookie scoring in the WCHA.

In 112 regular-season games with the Spruce Kings, Khaira scored 39 goals and added 82 assists for 121 points. In last summer’s NHL draft, he was selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the third round, 63rd overall. The Huskies, who skate in Division 1 of the NCAA, are 3-5 in conference play so far and have an overall record of 4-6. Their next games are home contests against the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.