ALBERT LEA &045; Albert Lea assistant girls hockey coach Tom Falk was recently named the Section 1A Assistant Coach of the Year.

Falk received the honor in just his first year as a coach in the girls game.

&8220;It is a real honor to be selected and honored by your peers,&8221; he said.

&8220;We were very happy with our season.

The girls worked hard, learned a lot and we look forward to next season.&8221;

The award is voted on by head coaches in the section.

Head coach Steve Falk, Tom&8217;s brother, felt he was deserving of the honor.

&8220;He made major contributions working primarily with the defense and goalies,&8221; Steve Falk said.

&8220;I think this just shows that I couldn&8217;t have picked a better assistant.&8221;

Tom Falk, who coached junior varsity boys and youth hockey for 20 years, said that having coached with his brother in the past made the transition from the boys&8217; game to the girls easier.

&8220;We really know what the other is thinking without having to say it because we have coached together before,&8221; he said.

&8220;We have been around Albert Lea hockey for so long that the experience helped the girls buy into what we were trying to do.&8221;