He's 16 years old, he's on the Principal's List and now his college hockey future is set.
Prince George Spruce Kings rookie forward Jujhar Khaira has agreed to terms on a four-year scholarship to attend Michigan Tech.
Heading into Thursday's game at Westside, Khaira ranked fifth in Spruce Kings scoring with seven goals and 15 assists for 22 points. The six-foot-one, 180-pound native of Surrey ranks in the top five among rookie scorers in the BCHL.
As a Grade 11 student, Khaira has put together a 94 per cent average.
"Jujhar's success this year is a testament to his work ethic and passion for the game of hockey and to his commitment to his educational goals," said Spruce Kings president Darcy Buryn. "It is further proof that players can thrive and will get noticed in the Spruce Kings program."
Khaira played Thursday night in Westside and is scheduled to join his teammates and newly-hired head coach Dave Dupas tonight in Merritt, where the Spruce King play the Centennials. Khaira's next chance to play in front of a home crowd will be on Saturday, when the Spruce Kings take on Salmon Arm at the Coliseum.
In other league news, Michael Garteig of the Powell River Kings has been named BCHL player of the week. The 19-year-old Prince George minor hockey alumni has been the go-to goalie in Powell River this season and last week helped the Kings to a 2-0-2 week, allowing just five goals in those four games for a 1.15 goals-against average and .958 save percentage.
He's on a nine-game unbeaten streak and after 26 games Garteig leads all BCHL goalies with 17 wins, a 1.52 goals-against average, .938 save percentage, four shutouts and 1,500 minutes played.
Now first -overall in the BCHL with 45 points, Powell River (20-5-3-2) will face the Nanaimo Clippers tonight in Nanaimo.
