Roy Nystrom is not much on fanfare or making a big deal about his accomplishments, and that was never more evident than with his most recent award.

&uot;It was kind of a surprise,&uot; said the longtime Albert Lea High School boys’ hockey coach. &uot;I was sitting in McDonald’s Sunday morning, I picked up the paper, and there it was.&uot;

It, in this case, was Nystrom’s selection as Section 1A Boys’ Hockey Coach of the Year.

The award, decided by a vote of the section coaches, was announced Saturday night at the conclusion of the state tournament in St. Paul.

&uot;I’m not really one to get all too excited about this stuff &045; I’m just glad to still be around at this age,&uot; said Nystrom, 60. &uot;It is nice that your peers think enough of you to recognize you for something like this, but it’s really not an individual honor.&uot;

Motivated players and knowledgeable assistants are vital, according to Nystrom.

&uot;You take a look at what I got here in this town, the type of kids I have here,&uot; said Nystrom. &uot;All the conference coaches say how our kids play so very hard. And I have good assistants. It’s a total team thing as far as I’m concerned.&uot;

Nystrom’s selection as the Section 1A Coach of the Year means he’ll be co-head coach of the South Team in the Great Eight High School All-Star Hockey Festival March 28-30. Albert Lea senior defenseman Josh Tubbs will play for the South Team.

The 2002-03 Tigers finished 17-10 overall and 10-5 in the Big Nine, reaching the Section 1A championship game. Last year, Nystrom was Big Nine Coach of the Year; that award has not yet been announced for the 2002-03 season.