Abbotsford Canucks forwards Jujhar Khaira and Arshdeep Bains share memories of growing up in Surrey on the latest Canucks Insider podcast with Chris Faber.
Both are now playing with their "hometown club," which on Tuesday (April 1) set with 10 straight wins in AHL action.
In early March, Khaira was acquired in a trade from Syracuse Crunch for future considerations. The forward was picked by Edmonton Oilers in the third round of the 2012 NHL Draft, and has also played with Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota Wild.
Khaira, 30, and Bains, 24, are six years apart but share similar stories of growing up in Port Kells and Clayton, respectively.
"We had the same trainer growing up," Khaira notes on the podcast. "Time went on and I went through my journey and Arsh was going through his, and now looking back, it's super cool we get to be on the same team."
After a standout junior career in the WHL, Bains and scored his first NHL goal in October 2024.
"It's funny how it works," Bains says, "just looking up to him (Khaira) back then (as a 10-year-old), it was pretty awesome to make a full-circle moment (with Khaira coming to play for Abbotsford Canucks)."
The 20-minute podcast reveals their thoughts on a range of topics including the Abby Canucks' run to the playoffs, favourite Gatorade flavours, best burger toppings, other sports they played as kids, their memories of current coach Manny Malhotra and the Sedin twins, and their favourite things about coming to the rink every day.
Bains says he was a big Ryan Kesler fan growing up, and Khaira names Todd Bertuzzi as his favourite Canuck all-time.
"It's cool, it's amazing," Khaira said about playing in the organization. "It's nice to be close to home and see family. I think it's cool for my parents to be able to come out and watch. They did so much of that growing up and they sacrificed so much. Now for them to spend evenings out here, seeing us play, that's the big thing in my eyes 鈥� to give them something to do and have them come out, watch. Talking to them, I can see how excited, how happy they are. I share that with them as well."
