KITCHENER

It's a long way from Kitchener to Kandahar.

But Bob Egan recently bridged the distance when he and his Blue Rodeo compadres joined forces with a dozen ex-NHL hockey players on a goodwill mission to Afghanistan.

The former professional hockey players -- including tough guys Bob Probert, Dave Hutchison, Chris Nilan, Troy Crowder and Stu Grimson -- took along the Stanley Cup.

"We were there to entertain and to learn," said Egan, who has played steel and slide guitar with Blue Rodeo for more than eight years.

He moved to Kitchener 2 1/2 years ago. With fewer distractions, he refurbished a two-storey house in an established neighbourhood and built a home studio. Between recording and touring with Blue Rodeo, he continues to compose music and produce records for other artists, including some local musicians.

Blue Rodeo spent a week in Afghanistan, performing four concerts and joining the ex-NHLers in a series of road hockey games.

Egan, who was born in Minnesota and raised in Illinois, played one game. Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor played all four games with the ex-NHLers, under the banner of Team Canada.

The band played a large outdoor concert, but the most memorable shows were small, intimate performances in tents, where the atmosphere was relaxed and soldiers were invited on stage to jam with the band.

"There was an immediate connection," Egan said. "The troops grew up listening to Blue Rodeo."

The things Egan brought back from Afghanistan transcend music. The musicians witnessed two ceremonies for fallen soldiers, one when they arrived and another just before they left.

"The whole base went silent," Egan said. "Hundreds of soldiers marched out on the tarmac and stood at attention while the caskets were transferred to the planes for the last flights home. "It put the whole trip in focus. These young men and woman are putting their lives on the line every day, far from home and family."

One of the fallen Canadians had been killed by a roadside improvised explosive device.

"Roadside bombs are responsible for 75 per cent of fatalities," Egan said. "It really hit home how soldiers sacrifice their lives as part of their jobs. I always respected the military, but the trip deepened my respect."

The band also rode in armoured vehicles, shot machine guns at firing ranges and spent a couple of hours at central command, getting a glimpse of "how the whole operation is managed."

The most pleasurable aspect of the trip was getting to know the soldiers.

"We ate with different soldiers at every meal. I was blown away by their dedication and by their pride in their role in the mission."

Egan said he'd go back, given the opportunity. "It's not about politics. It's about helping people in need."

rreid@therecord.com