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Stanley Cup, former NHLers visit troops in Afghanistan

Matthew Fisher, Canwest News Service

Published: Wednesday, March 19, 2008
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — The Stanley Cup visited the Afghan war zone Wednesday, arriving aboard a military aircraft making a tactical combat landing at an airfield that is home to many of the 2,200 Canadian troops deployed to this hazardous province.

Greeting Lord Stanley’s storied silver trophy and about a dozen former NHLers as they spilled out of a C-130 Hercules transport were Canada’s Defence Minister Peter MacKay, who was completing a three-day visit to Afghanistan, and his top general, Rick Hillier.

General Rick Hillier and Defense Minister Peter MacKay jokingly searching for the time, more than 40 years ago, that Hillier’s favourite team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, last had its name on the Stanley Cup.

General Rick Hillier and Defense Minister Peter MacKay jokingly searching for the time, more than 40 years ago, that Hillier’s favourite team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, last had its name on the Stanley Cup.

Photograph by : CNS
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"We’re delighted to have these folks here to show support for our people," Hillier said as he and MacKay jokingly tried to remember the time, more than 40 years ago, when Hillier’s team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, last had its name inscribed on the trophy.

"It’s the Holy Grail. There is such a special air about the Stanley Cup," MacKay said before boarding a military flight to return to Canada. "The cup symbolizes what every young Canadian dreams of. Some of the soldiers on the base probably did not sleep last night."

Hillier and Brig.-Gen. Guy Laroche, commander of Task Force Afghanistan, intend to play this week in a friendly ball hockey game against the visiting former pros on a well appointed outdoor rink.

To prepare for the upcoming exhibition match, MacKay broke the Official Secrets Act to reveal that Laroche "has been practising all week. I even saw him taping his stick and putting talcum powder on it in his office."

The diminutive Laroche resembles the Pocket Rocket, Henri Richard, who was for many years a star centre with the Montreal Canadiens. At only five-foot-three, the Van Doo general will provide a curious contrast to the former pros, several of whom are six-foot-five or taller.

The Canadian battle lines have been buzzing for weeks with news of the impending visit of the cup and the former NHLers. Much of the gossip has focused on who, among the 70 soldiers who turned up for tryouts, would be good enough to win one of about 20 prized spots on an all-star team, scheduled to play a competitive game against the former pros this weekend. The NHLers will also play a game against a team made up of troops from the U.S. army, navy, air force and marines.

The visitors who arrived Wednesday included former 50-goal scorer Mike Gartner, who at one time suited up for the Leafs during an illustrious 19-year career, as well as former NHL tough guys Bob Probert, Chris Nilan and Stu Grimson.

The Stanley Cup and the retired NHL players were part of what the military has billed a Team Canada visit. The entourage included the Blue Rodeo band, Montreal rock singer Jonas Tomalty, musician Gregg Lawless, and Lori Anna Reid, who sings traditional melodies from Newfoundland, the home province of many of soldiers, including Hillier.

It is the second time the Stanley Cup has made the 10,000-kilometre trek to South Asia from its home at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. The cup was seen by a totally different set of Canadian soldiers during its first visit 10 months ago.







 
 
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