It’s a safe bet to say coach Roy Nystrom and the Albert Lea High School boys’ hockey team will be ready when they lace up their skates for the first practice of the 2002-03 season Monday.

Two of the players will be a little more prepared than the rest.

Seniors Josh Tubbs and Matt Tubbs participated in elite hockey leagues that recently completed about a two-month season. And for Matt, there’s more. His performance in league play earned him an invitation to an all-star tournament that’s expected to attract dozens of college and professional scouts this weekend.

For both Tubbs twins, seniors this year at ALHS, simply participating in the leagues was an honor. First, they were chosen for an invitation-only tryout and then selected for the elite leagues.

Josh, a defenseman, played for the Wells-Fargo Team South in the Project Prep League. He scored three goals and had nine assists as his team compiled a record of 15-5 and ended the season last weekend with a strong second-place showing in a tournament at Duluth. It was Josh’s second year in the league.

A goalie, Matt played for Team Southeast in a new league, the Minnesota High School Elite Hockey League, and his squad went 11-12-5. Matt was second in the league in minutes played and ranked third in the league with 299 saves, earning him a spot in the interstate tournament this weekend at New Hope Arena. He will play for the Rocky Mountain West Selects. There are also teams from Minnesota, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan.

Matt Tubbs’ team plays today at 5:15. There are also games Saturday and Sunday, with times to be determined.