Boys’ Hockey

Submitted by Gavin Quam

If you’ve ever been to an Albert Lea Tigers Hockey game, you’re sure to hear the announcer welcome you to the “historic Roy Nystrom Arena” over the booming speakers. After 46 years of operation, that title has no doubt been earned.

Although the rink may be historic because of the teams that played there before, I find our arena remarkable because of what’s currently unfolding: our boys’ hockey team practicing near-daily, all in preparation for the state tournament. Our do-or-die mentality has already driven us to success, including our win against the Rock Ridge Wolverines, hosted in the oldest rink in the State of Hockey. The Hippodrome, as it’s called, also warrants sentimental value; however, I no longer gaze at it as a place where so many legends once played, but rather as the building where the Tigers made history by showing northern hockey what we’re made of.

In our first player meeting we outlined our goals for the season, and like years prior, placing in the state tournament was predominant. This year, forty percent of our varsity team are seniors, so for many of us it’s “The X” or bust. This year, we’ll have to carve our own history.