Music: {allcanada} Ex-NHLers visit Canadian troops in Afghanistan

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

{allcanada} Ex-NHLers visit Canadian troops in Afghanistan

It was "Hockey Morning in Kandahar" as some former NHL stars shared laughs and played a pickup game of ball hockey Tuesday with Canadian troops stationed in Afghanistan.

Pierre Turgeon, Tiger Williams and Hall of Famer Lanny McDonald were among those who paid a visit as part of the so-called Team Canada trip to Kandahar Airfield.

The trip is expected to be the last of its kind before Canada's combat mission ends in July.

Turgeon, who is on his first trip to Kandahar, said he relished the opportunity to visit the sprawling airbase and boost troop morale.

"Everyone's thankful that we're here, but I've got to be honest with you, it's just a privilege for us to be here," Turgeon said. "It's so much fun to be around these guys and we enjoy it — big time."

McDonald, who has travelled to Kandahar before, said he came back because he enjoys providing a welcome diversion for battle-hardened soldiers.

"It's great for the troops because it's a little break in their action," McDonald said. "They can kind of forget about some of the things that they're going through.

"We can maybe show them some lighter side of the game and have a little bit of fun out here. It works out great all the way around."

Comedian Tom Green and a group of mixed martial arts fighters are also taking part in the visit.