Good Sports: Drive to Suceed
His father is a truck driver, but the only thing Jujhar Khaira plans to drive for a living is a puck. The British Columbia, Canada, native was recently drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the third round (63rd) of the National Hockey League Draft.
Only two other players of South Asian descent have made it to the NHL: Manny Malhotra (‘98 to present, fi ve teams) and Robin Bawa (‘89 to ‘94, four teams). Jujhar, 17, who stands six-foot-three and weighs 200 pounds, isn’t quite there yet. Before getting a chance to suit up for the Oilers, the left winger will refi ne his skills at Michigan Tech. But don’t bet against him making it to the big leagues, not with the work ethic that his father, Sukh, a gravel truck owner-operator, has inspired in him.
“My dad goes to work all day and then he goes to work out,” Jujhar told the Vancouver Province. “I think that dedication carried on to me.”
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