Cpl. Nick Bulger, 30, was killed when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device in Kandahar on Friday. (National Defence)

The family of an Edmonton soldier killed in Afghanistan says he just wanted to make a difference.

Nick Bulger, 30, was killed Friday by a roadside bomb that narrowly missed a vehicle carrying the commander of coalition troops in Kandahar.

He was a member of 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, based in Edmonton. He leaves his wife Rebeka and two daughters, his mother, two brothers and a sister.

Knut Ohm, Bulger's father-in-law, said he was passionate about his career and knew the risks.

"He was going to go over there to help, that's what he firmly believed in, what he was going over there for," Ohm said.

"He was very excited about it, you know all, of his buddies were going. He trained very, very hard over the years for a mission like this so … he was very excited and passionate about what he was doing."

Ohm said despite losing his son-in-law, he still supports what Canadian troops are doing in Afghanistan.

"It's a tough decision, there's no doubt about it. I just hope all Canadians appreciate what our troops are doing over there. We've got a lot of fine men and women that are giving their souls, so I just hope all Canadians appreciate that."

Bulger was the 121st Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan since the Canadian mission began in 2002.