Last Updated on Sunday, 27 May 2012 18:31
By Andrew Vitalis
Scorers, pure scorers, can’t really explain how they do it. Ask them about a magic formula and you won’t get an answer-they don’t have one. You can’t teach it, learn it or fake it. When asked, Roseville native and current Lake Erie Monster (AHL) Marty Sertich tries to explain things the best he can.
“I guess I would say try and keep moving as much as possible. I think it’s anticipation more than anything else. I’ve always been taught to go to the net and good things will happen. I don’t think there are any secrets, just work hard and hope good things will happen,” said Sertich. “I’m definitely not a natural goal scorer. I look to pass first and I go hard to the net. It’s definitely not easy.”
If it’s not easy, Sertich continues to fool the ones keeping track of his statistics. After being named Minnesota Mr. Hockey in 2001 (63 points in 28 games with Roseville High School), Sertich used one season to sharpen his skills in the USHL before accepting a scholarship to Colorado College. With the Tigers, his ability to light the lamp became increasingly evident with every shift he took. Twenty-nine points in 42 games as a freshman. Thirty-nine points in 39 games as a sophomore. Then came his junior season, a season that Sertich sums up with one word – “special.”
“I had a great time at CC (Colorado College). My junior season was really special for me and the team,” remarked Sertich. “We advanced to the Frozen Four, playing with Brett Sterling (Chicago Wolves). A lot of things just came together that year for everyone. Then getting that award, it certainly was something I’ll never forget.”
“That” award was the, ho-hum, Hobey Baker Award, given to the best player in college hockey. As a junior, Sertich posted an eye-popping 64 points in only 42 games. Just as impressive, when his time with the Tigers was over, Sertich walked away fromColorado having never missed a game during his four years, playing in a total of 166 games. He scored at least one point in 108 of those games. Almost shockingly modest, Sertich talks about his time with the Tigers, and specifically the Hobey when asked, but he points out that he is not interested in that time period defining him as a hockey player.
“It (Hobey Baker Award) was a great award, nobody can ever take that away from me. I was fortunate to have played with some great players,” commented Sertich. “I really don’t feel any pressure. I just keep taking it day by day. I plan on making it to the NHL one day and I hope my play there will define me as a player. I still have a lot of work to do that’s for sure.”
Ironically, Sertich’s current goal is to get back to Colorado. After signing a free agent contract with Dallas right out of college, he signed a two-year contract with the Colorado Avalanche this past season. Currently, in his third season as a pro, Sertich works on his game as a member of the Lake Erie Monsters, the Avs AHL affiliate. Yes, he’s still scoring, now with seven points in 14 games (as of Dec. 1). His last time out on Nov. 29, no surprise, Sertich scored the game-winning goal in an overtime win.
“Anytime you go up a level in play, things just seem to get harder every year. I usually score my goals right around the crease. I just do what I’m told and go to the net,” laughed Sertich. “Coming out of college, I really didn’t know what to expect, it’s been a learning experience. It’s certainly a grind, a long year. When I first turned pro playing with Iowa, I was lucky to have a bunch of veteran guys on the team. I learned from them in terms of adjusting to the schedule and trying to stay healthy.”
Extremely modest and almost equally truthful, Sertich admits staying healthy will be key, maybe the key when it comes to theNHL. Standing at 5-8 and 165 pounds, without skates, Sertich knows every night will be a challenge for someone who lives in front of the net. Adapt and overcome.
“I was surprised (as a rookie) with how big and strong everyone was. As one of the smaller guys out there, it was an eye-opener when I saw how much more stronger everyone was,” said Sertich. “As a player, you just need to find different ways to survive out there. You just try to keep on moving and hope you are able to find some room out there.”
With nearly 100 points as a pro in just under two and a half years, Sertich has shown he doesn’t need much room to make a difference.
