EDMONTON, Alberta -- This was one nifty assist by an NHL player.

Edmonton Oilers center Gilbert Brule stopped this week to pick up a most unlikely hitchhiker -- rock star Bono.

The U2 frontman and his assistant were walking Tuesday in West Vancouver, British Columbia, when they got caught in the rain.

Fortunately for them, Brule and his girlfriend, Kelsey Nichols, were on their way to take their German shepherd, Bella, to a park.

Brule had to convince Nichols, who was driving, to pull over. "I didn't want to stop, but they waved and G yelled, 'That's Bono,' " Nichols told the Edmonton Journal Wednesday night. "I didn't believe him so I kept driving."

Bono and his assistant hopped in the back with Bella. To thank them, he offered Brule and his girlfriend backstage passes for the U2 concert Wednesday night at Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium.