Charlie Cerrato Signs ELC With Carolina Hurricanes

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - MARCH 14: Charlie Cerrato #15 and Carter Schade #2 of the Penn State Nittany Lions go for the puck against Nick Moldenhauer #9 of the Michigan Wolverines during the first period of the 2026 Big Ten Men's Ice Hockey Championship semi-final at Yost Ice Arena on March 14, 2026 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Jaime Crawford/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Former Penn State hockey center Charlie Cerrato inked a three-year entry-level contract (ELC) with the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday:

The contract carries an average annual value and cap hit of $915,000- a solid amount for a rookie deal. After leaving Penn State following the Nittany Lions’ exit from the NCAA Tournament, Cerrato joined the Chicago Wolves on an amateur tryout. He played in one playoff game for the Wolves but did not record a point.

Cerrato is the fourth player from the 2025-26 roster to sign a professional contract, following Matt DiMarsico, Aiden Fink, and Kevin Reidler. The contract is set to expire after the 2027-28 season, when he will be a restricted free agent.

If he remains at center, Cerrato is unlikely to make the Hurricanes’ roster in 2026-27. Sebastian Aho remains one of the top centers in the NHL, and captain Jordan Staal has one year left on his deal. Carolina extended for two more years yesterday. has had an excellent season as the Hurricanes’ long search for a strong second line center appears complete. Cerrato will likely spend the 2026-27 season with the Wolves.