By Jimmy Allinder
Gerard Marretta’s next six points will make him the all-time leading scorer in the history of Monroe Township High School’s ice hockey program.
Now that he has decided to play his senior year for the Falcons instead of a junior team, it’s almost certain Marretta will pass Kevin Morello, who currently owns the record with 120 points. That will be a celebrated occasion, but it’s not the major reason Falcons head coach Jerry Minter is thrilled Marretta will be back with Monroe.
“It’s just not that Gerard scores a lot, but the way he does other things,” Minter said. “You can’t teach intangibles like humor and humbleness, but that’s Gerard and along with his strict work ethic, he’s become a valuable member of our team.”
Marretta’s development has been rapid, and he pondered spending his senior year with a more competitive junior hockey program instead of at Monroe and his club team, the New Jersey Hitmen 18U. But he thought about how much he loved his hometown and teammates, plus the opportunities for further growth with the club program, and that settled it.
“Monroe is where I was first introduced to hockey,” he said. “I started playing roller hockey at the recreation center rink in kindergarten and then moved up to the in-house ice hockey team in fourth grade. This is where I belong. Besides opportunities to improve, I love playing for coach Minter, and I want to put Monroe on the hockey map.”
Marretta also hopes to play college hockey at some level. He understands, though, the sport’s popularity has grown in leaps and bounds and is now played by thousands of kids in his age group. As a result, the pool is filled with talented players hoping to do the same thing.
“There is a lot going on during a game, and I put a lot of pressure on myself to be productive,” the left winger said about what goes through his mind when he’s on the ice. “So I try not to think about anything else but my job. I keep a clear head and avoid situations that might distract my concentration. I also simplify hockey as much as possible and if I make a bad play, I quickly erase it from my mind and move on to doing positive things that help my team win.”
Minter says Marretta is constantly subjected to extra coverage and contact by opponents in order to get under his skin.
“It comes with the territory because Gerard is so talented,” Minter said. “He is willing to sacrifice personal goals as long as the team is successful.”
That demeanor reinforces Minter’s belief is a natural leader. He was elevated to alternate captain as a sophomore became team captain last year and will wear the “C” on his sweater again this season.
“One of Gerard’s other attributes is the respect he has for the coaching staff and school faculty,” Minter said. “He works just as hard in the classroom as he does on the ice. Gerard has all the traits that will enable him to play at the next level: skill, discipline, desire, character, a strong work ethic and excellent grades.”
Marretta’s grade-point average is 3.3, which he admits is difficult to maintain because of his involvement with travel and high school hockey, plus “everything else in-between.”
“I do my homework as soon as possible, whether it’s in school or at home,” he said. “The last thing I want to do is hit the books at midnight after a hard practice or game.”
To stay in shape, Marretta sustains a year-round regimen that includes strength and cardiovascular training, weightlifting, boxing and yoga three times a week on top of practice and games.
Marretta’s parents, Carmelo and Marie, and sister, Gianna, have supported him since he began playing hockey, and he says much has been learned from former Princeton University and current Arizona State University goaltending coach George Bosak when he was 10 years old. Also, former New Jersey Devil Jim Dowd and his son, Jim — also a promising player — have helped him.
“They all instilled in me the value of respecting the game, being disciplined, persevering and being dedicated,” Marretta said.
Of his many accomplishments, Marretta said the most satisfying occurred last year when his New Jersey Titan U16 team won the Atlantic Youth Hockey League title. He’d like to achieve much more, though.
“Before my Monroe career is over, I want to shatter every record in the program, win a [Greater Middlesex Conference] title and go far in the state tournament,” he said.
Marretta will certainly go far as he continues his hockey career.