Instead of hanging up their skates at the end of the season, two Albert Lea seniors have an opportunity to showcase their hockey skills in front of a new audience.

Alex Claassen and Garrett Matz were selected to play in the Ted Brill Great 8, a tournament that features the top senior skaters from each section and takes place Friday through Sunday at Wakota Arena in South St. Paul.

Claassen, the Tigers’ leading scorer, said he’s looking forward to playing in front of college and professional scouts.

“It’ll be fun and intense because everyone’s trying to catch a scout’s eye,” said Claassen. “It’s been a goal of mine for longer than just this season. I’d say it was more throughout my whole high school career.”

Claassen will be a starter at forward, and Matz will be an alternate in the goal for Section 1A.

Team rosters have two goalies, one goalie alternate, six defensemen, two defensemen alternates, nine forwards and three forward alternates.

Nominations for the tournament were made by coaches, and each coach in the section votes.

“It’s good exposure,” said Albert Lea coach Roy Nystrom, who has coached in the tournament multiple times. “You get a lot of college scouts, and there’s a possibility you may get an offer.”

The official purpose of the Great 8 is to “identify those Minnesota athletes having potential for future participation in USA Hockey regional, national, and/or international training and competition,” according to a press release.

The tournament is sanctioned by the Minnesota State High School League, so participants are eligible for spring sports, the release said. According to Albert Lea boys’ tennis coach Tom Dyrdal, Matz plans to take the court this spring at No. 1 doubles with Foster Otten, who also played hockey this winter.

Last year, Van Zelenak represented Albert Lea at the Great 8 after he led the team to a 15-11-1 record with 23 goals and 38 points.

This season, captains Brady Loch, Claassen and Matz led the Tigers to a 12-15 record. A 2-1 double-overtime loss on Feb. 19 at Mankato West ended Albert Lea’s season in the Section 1A quarterfinals.

Matz earned Big Nine All-Conference accolades with 716 saves out of 781 shots on goal. He faced more shots and had more saves than any other goalie in the conference. His save percentage of .917 was third in the conference when compared against goalies who faced at least 51 shots.

Claassen, also a Big Nine All-Conference selection, led the Tigers with 19 goals, 20 assists and 39 points.

“He was an offensive weapon for us,” Nystrom said. “I’m sure he’ll play well.”

Claassen said he plans to major in business at Kansas State University next fall but his hockey future is up in the air.