Josh Tubbs is getting some rather intensive training for the upcoming hockey season.

Monday, August 27, 2001

Josh Tubbs is getting some rather intensive training for the upcoming hockey season. He was selected to play for the South Team as part of a high school all-star series that culminates with a tournament on MEA weekend in mid-October.

The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Tubbs, who will be a junior at Albert Lea High School, was one of 20 defensemen invited to try out for the team and one of only eight to make the final cut. He’s had two tryouts and one practice and, so far, has had a good time.

&uot;It’s feels pretty good to play on a team of that caliber,&uot; said Tubbs. &uot;We’ve got a good team. I think we might be able to win this thing.&uot;

Tubbs has been a member of the ALHS varsity boys’ hockey team since his freshman year along with his twin brother Matt, a goalie.

&uot;Josh is a good prospect,&uot; said Albert Lea coach Roy Nystrom. &uot;There’s no question in my mind that last year he was the hardest working player on the team. Whatever success he’s garnered so far is a result of his hard work and determination. Nobody’s going to outwork him. That’s a fact.&uot;

The South Team is one of eight that will compete. There are also teams from the North, Duluth and Central areas, and five from the metro area.

The event is sponsored by Minnesota Hockey.

Here’s the schedule of games for the South Team leading up to the tournament Oct. 18-21:

* Saturday, Sept. 8 – vs. Metro Northwest at Kasson, 4 p.m.;

* Sunday, Sept. 9 – at Metro Northeast, time TBA;

* Sunday, Sept. 16 – at Metro Southeast, 10:30 a.m.;

* Saturday, Sept. 22 – at Duluth (Mars Lakeview), 12:15 p.m.

* Sunday, Sept. 23 – vs. Metro West at Kasson, 5:15 p.m.

* Saturday, Sept. 29 – vs. Rochester Mustangs at Kasson, 11:45 a.m.

* Sunday, Sept. 30 – vs. North at Breck Academy, 6:30 p.m.

* Saturday, Oct. 13 – vs. Metro Southwest at Kasson, 2 p.m.

* Sunday, Oct. 14 – at Metro Northwest (New Hope), 1 p.m.