One of the pinnacle Spruce Kings of all time has a message for today's team.
Edmonton Oilers power forward Jujhar Khaira played more than 100 games in the blue and red P.G. jersey, he still follows the fortunes of the first junior team he ever played for, and he knows tonight is a big moment for the 2018 squad.
"Good luck," he said, calling in after Oilers practice on Friday. "You've gone farther than I ever went. If they keep playing the way they're playing they'll get those wins. It's pretty cool for the community and themselves - they should take pride in that."
Khaira suited up for the Spruce Kings right out of minor hockey, scoring 10 goals and adding 32 assists as a rookie in 2010-11, then accelerated those numbers to 29 goals and 50 assists the following season.
Prince George was one of many rings into which he threw his tryout hat, following his final year in minor hockey in the Lower Mainland. He said he just wanted to keep his mind open and his energy high in his attempt to break into the junior ranks, and it was the Spruce Kings organization that made him the strongest offer.
"It was awesome. At that point it was a dream to play junior A. It was unexpected for sure," he said. "It was tough for me in the Lower Mainland, there, but then coming up, having a good camp, getting the opportunity... Playing for (former head coaches) Ed Dempsey and Dave Dupas, I think that helped me tremendously. It gave me great opportunities and I'm so thankful for everything that I learned there."
His game - described as a well-rounded combination of heavy checking, crafty playmaking and ability to finish a scoring opportunity - got the attention of Michigan Tech at the NCAA Division 1 level. The Huskies recruited Khaira for 2012-13, and again he put up strong numbers.
The next season he switched gears and signed on with the Everett Silvertips of the WHL. Again, positive stats unfolded - 16 goals and 27 assists in 59 games.
Most players choose either the college hockey program or the Western Hockey League program. Khaira is not typical in having substantial experience in both tracks.
"I had a good year (as a Husky). I wanted to turn professional. There are never any guarantees, so I thought it was the right thing. I talked to my parents, my agent, and we thought playing a more NHL style of play was right for me."
He is aware that players in the junior A ranks are sometimes worried about taking the step to the WHL because that disqualifies them from NCAA scholarships, but that's balanced with the WHL's stronger pipeline into professional hockey. It's a choice not easily made.
"I don't think there's a bad route, if you want to go college or WHL," he said. "The main thing is if you're having fun, enjoying the game, that's the biggest thing. Throughout all my years, I've had so much fun playing and just tried to be a student of the game. If you can take the good from all the people trying to help you, that's what you want to do. Learn as much as you can and improve your game."
He is the model for that kind of behaviour. Once his junior career was over, he transitioned into the professional ranks of the AHL first with Oklahoma City and then with Bakersfield. His offensive stats became more modest but he focused on his defensive elements, his physical presence, and upping his hockey IQ.
It worked so well that the Oilers called him up for a 10-game audition in 2016-17, and then kept him on full-time after training camp broke this fall.
He had to pinch himself, at times, "because I was never the go-to guy" who dominated the score sheet in younger levels of hockey.
Yet he keeps striding to new levels, even at the top level on the planet. All he's done this season in the National Hockey League is surpass his best AHL season for goals and establish himself as a legitimate power presence on NHL ice.
He's so far notched 11 goals and eight assists, plus dropped the gloves strategically all season long. His point totals place him 10th in overall team scoring despite his ice-time averaging only about 12 minutes per game. It's not easy getting steady shifts when the likes of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Ryan Strome are factors.
He said he was just happy to be in a position to learn as a rookie and at the same time contribute in a number of ways to his team.
"It's still special," he said, when he pulls on the blue and orange Edmonton jersey.
It would also be special, he said, to come back and have a visit in Prince George. He had three billet families over his two seasons here and his top priority would be to visit each of them.
"It's not easy putting up with a teenager, and putting up with us (players). You're a special person," he saluted all families who take in hockey players as billet families.
"They are special people, for sure, who are willing to help out. Nothing but appreciation from me for everybody who helped me out and welcomed me into their homes. I thought moving away from home, and the billeting experience was so cool. Coming up to Prince George and getting to do that - there's nothing but a smile on my face. I was excited to do it and happy to be there."
That smile would get even bigger if this year's team could keep putting wins on the scoresheet, especially tonight with the series on the line against the Chilliwack Chiefs. Game-time is 7 p.m. from Prospera Centre in Chilliwack.
