Charlie Cerrato has inked a contract with Carolina.
The former Nittany Lion forward signed a three-year, entry-level deal with the Hurricanes, the team announced Tuesday morning. He’ll make $775,000 in 2025-26, $850,000 in 2026-27 and $900,000 in 2027-28 if he remains in the NHL. If he plays in the AHL, he’ll receive $85,000 annually. His signing bonus is $220,000.
Earlier this spring, Cerrato signed an amateur tryout agreement with the Chicago Wolves — the Hurricanes’ AHL affiliate — where he participated in one playoff game and recorded no points in a 2-0 loss. He was drafted by Carolina with the 49th pick in the second round in 2025.
Throughout two seasons at Penn State, Cerrato appeared in 61 games, totaling 22 goals and 47 assists (69 points) with 35 blocks. He was a Big Ten All-Freshman Team honoree in 2024-25, finishing second on the team in points and leading the conference in goals, assists and points by a freshman. A long-term injury derailed an otherwise strong sophomore campaign, preventing him from competing for more conference accolades.
More Penn State Hockey
View all Penn State Hockey
8 Penn State Players/Commits Selected in 2026 NHL Draft
The Penn State to NHL pipeline expanded over the weekend as eight Nittany Lions players and commits heard their names called in the draft. The action began with the first […]
Penn State’s Gavin McKenna Drafted No. 1 Overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs
Gavin McKenna has been pegged as a future No. 1 pick since he was 14 years old. That came to fruition on Friday night when he was drafted first overall […]
Penn State Finishes 21st in Learfield Directors’ Cup Standings
Thanks to the national champion (again) Nittany Lion wrestling team and the Frozen Four finalist PSU women’s ice hockey team, Penn State placed No. 21 nationally in the recently-released Learfield […]
