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Stanley Cup, NHL alumni visit Kandahar Airfield

Courtesy Photo | Musician Terry Kelly performs for service members at Kandahar Air Field in conjunction...... read more read more

KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN

05.15.2007

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - The National Hockey League Stanley Cup, NHL Alumni, musician Terry Kelly and Canadian Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Rick Hillier visited troops at the International Security Assistance Force's largest operating base, Kandahar Airfield.

It was the first time in its history that the Stanley Cup was taken to a war zone. Soldiers flocked to get their picture taken with the legendary trophy as well as enjoy a concert by Terry Kelly and three street hockey games pitting NHL legends against KAF's Canadian and U.S. troops. The final game combined U.S. and Canadian 'all star' service member teams.

The hockey legends were as eager to meet the troops as Soldiers were to have their pictures taken with the famous trophy and their favorite players.

"We really feel emotional about coming over here and seeing all our young women and men service members," said Dave Hutchison. "What they are doing here for our fight for freedom, we really appreciate it. You don't really get a grasp or a hands on until you get over here to see what the world is really like over here. I commend you Soldiers for what you are doing," he added.

Alumni NHL players who were part of the delegation included two-time Stanley Cup winner Mark Napier, former player and Montreal Canadiens General Manager Rejean Houle and Yvon Lambert, former Ottawa Senators Ron Tugnutt and Rob Murphy, former Toronto Maple Leafs Dave "Tiger" Williams, Mike Pelyk, Dan Daoust, Dave Hutchison, Stew Gavin, Lou Franceshetti, and Kevin Maguire, former St-Louis Blues Tony Currie (Vancouver Canucks) and Lt. Col. Ed Staniowski (Hartford Whalers), Bob Probert (Detroit and Chicago), Rick Smith (Boston Bruins). Vancouver Canucks owner Paolo Aquilini was also present.

The trip was primarily a joint effort by Canada's Department of Defence and supported by the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, Montreal Canadiens and Vancouver Canucks, as well as the NHL, which sent the Stanley Cup and one of its official keepers, Mike Bolt. One of Canada's best known sports broadcasters, Brian Williams, was also on hand to announce the player line up during the street hockey games.