When Albert Lea High School boys’ hockey coach Roy Nystrom looked at the 2001-02 All-Big Nine Conference team, he had to do a double take.

Friday, March 22, 2002

When Albert Lea High School boys’ hockey coach Roy Nystrom looked at the 2001-02 All-Big Nine Conference team, he had to do a double take.

It wasn’t because of the number of players the Tigers had on the team. That was appropriate for a squad that finished fourth in the standings.

Nystrom was surprised at the coach of the year. It’s Nystrom.

&uot;I didn’t expect that, but you never do,&uot; said the veteran coach. &uot;I figured the league champ would get that. But at my age, you take anything you can get, right?&uot;

The 2001-02 Tigers took much more than most people expected, contending for the conference title deep into a season in which they figured to struggle.

The Tigers had two players selected to the all-conference first team, senior forward Matt Bracker and junior goaltender Matt Tubbs.

Three other ALHS juniors – forwards Adam Boelter and Egan Mattson and defenseman Josh Tubbs – received honorable mentions.

Nystrom said they’re all very deserving, but added the honors and the Tigers’ success are the result of everyone working together to do whatever it takes to win.

&uot;They all deserve it, no question,&uot; said Nystrom. &uot;Matt Bracker and Matt Tubbs were very instrumental in our success this season, and so were the other boys. We were basically a team all the way down the line. Somebody has to get the honors. We have several others who are also deserving.&uot;

The Tigers’ team awards were announced at Sunday’s banquet. Bracker and Matt Tubbs shared the Most Valuable Player Award. The Most Improved Player Award went to Boelter.

The 2001-02 All-Big Nine boys’ hockey team:

– Forwards – Logan Wenzel, Mankato East; Kyle Honsey, Alex Morawiecki, Winona; Matt Bracker, Albert Lea; Andy Klapperick, Brandon Schaefer, Austin; Jake Erickson, Cory Wiltgen, Ben Sandvik, Rochester Century; Adam Hauptli, Nick Rost, Faribault; Scott Thauwald, Tim Gerlesberger, Jim Strain, Rochester Mayo; honorable mention – Mike Cashman, Mankato East; Danny Umhoefer, Mankato West; Mike Schneider, Andrew Dahle, Owatonna; Nate Bower, Rochester Century; Jake Hovick, Rob Amundson, Rochester John Marshall; Jamie Pomeroy, Winona; Josh Brady, Rochester Mayo; Adam Boelter, Egan Mattson, Albert Lea;

– Defense – Matt Hawkinson, Rochester John Marshall; Andrew Gastineau, Eric Canzanello, Rochester Mayo; Nick Bowe, Eric Hansen, Austin; Andy Link, Rochester Century; Jake Pence, Owatonna; honorable mention – Blake Warner, Rochester John Marshall; Craig Johnson, Rochester Century; Eric Starke, Mankato West; Josh Tubbs, Albert Lea;

– Goaltenders – David Nash, Rochester Mayo; Andy Oliver, Rochester Century; Matt Tubbs, Albert Lea; honorable mention – Matt Graff, Austin; Matt Meier, Owatonna;

– Coach of the year – Roy Nystrom, Albert Lea.