Photo Credits: Emily Raffle
Going on a 50+ point season with the Reading Royals, it’s no secret that Charlie Gerard is a hidden treasure that not only the Reading Royals benefit from, but the Lehigh Valley Phantoms could as well. A hidden treasure and a selfless teammate and leader. This past home series against the Trois-Rivières Lions, I had the chance to sit down with Gerard. We discussed life, hockey, impressions, and more. The River Rocky, Ohio native credits his brother, Freddy for being his impression for getting involved in hockey.
When asked who his impression was growing up Gerard replied being thankful for his older brother, “I would say my brother. Just because he taught me about the game and I looked up to him. And yeah just grateful for him and what he’s done for me.” Being one of three Gerard kids, Charlie stands between his older brother, Freddy and his younger sister, Coco. Also, he shines light on one of his favorite childhood memories, “Probably just being at the rink and just having my family all around. At a young age like five or six, I got to play with my brother when we were really younger around those rinks.”
Later during the interview I focused on him as a person. He would describe himself as, “Outgoing, funny guy. I’m a nice dude and try to take things lightly and enjoy life and enjoy the moment,” Gerard said. I was curious to know what he said the differences are between him on the ice and him off the ice, “I would say I’m a little more serious on the ice. Try to lead by example for the most part. Then off the ice, I’m a jokester and try to be the funny guy in the room.”
Moving on to two more serious questions. One of them being what he wishes to accomplish outside hockey conquests. In my opinion Gerard had one of the best answers a woman can hear, “Well, I’m getting married in the Summer, so maybe being the best husband I can be for my wife coming up here,” he couldn’t help but smile as he said “for my wife.”
It’s always interesting to find out what an athlete does after their career concludes, so I asked Gerard what’s one thing he hopes to take away from his career once it’s all said and done, “Wow. That I left it all out there and did everything I could to achieve my goals and dreams. And yeah, look back and have no regrets.”
Of course, we spoke about hockey. As a minor league player, they experience great
differences in leagues like the AHL and ECHL. We went over the differences he
appreciates between the two leagues, “I think up there they make less mistakes and everything’s a little cleaner and quicker. I just love the game and I just love playing. And yeah, it’s great.”
Just like every other minor league player, they deal with a great deal of instability and unpredictability. The trades and call-ups being two of some of the most unpredictable possibilities. Different players have a different mentality on how they reflect on it, “Yeah, I mean like you said, things change basically hour by hour and you just have to stay positive,” Gerard said. “And whatever comes your way, you just gotta be prepared for it.” Having played for an NCAA university, I had to ask what advice he has for the guys playing in the NCAA men’s ice hockey tournament coming up later this month in Allentown, “I
would just say leave it all out there. And it goes by pretty quick so just try to limit your
mistakes. And just enjoy the process and give it all you got.”
Lastly, we went rapid fire and went through questions like, favorite movie, color, and
biggest pet peeve. Charlie Gerard’s favorite movie is Happy Gilmore, favorite color is
blue, and his biggest peeve is when people don’t hold the door for him. Which, let’s be
honest, is really annoying.
It’s no lie that Gerard is one of the leaders this team needed from the beginning of the season. It shows on the ice and with the chemistry he has with his linemates. The selfless teammate in his drop passes the puck to the teammate behind him with the better chance if the breakaway he’s on doesn’t look like it’s going to work out. It’s giving his linemate an opportunity to score rather than just shooting it when he knows it most likely won’t work out. Simply plays like that are what set apart players like him from the rest.
Being the type of person and player he says he is, with having the evidence to
back it up is not something everyone has. He has made my time covering the Royals
one of the most memorable experiences in my career. From watching him play against my former home team, the Allen Americans when he was with the Utah Grizzlies to watching him play for my new home team in the Royals. Not many young writers can say that. Not only has he made this season an action packed and memorable season for the Reading
Royals and their fans, but for me, as well.
