Charlie Cerrato Signs PTO With Chicago Wolves
Three Nittany Lions have signed professional contracts already
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 Penn State forward Charlie Cerrato signed a professional tryout (PTO) with the Chicago Wolves on Tuesday: #Canes 2025 second-round pick Charlie Cerrato has signed a professional tryout (PTO) with the @Chicago_Wolves . https://t.
co/RbKMwOD42U — Walt Ruff (@WaltRuff) March 31, 2026 Cerrato spent half of the regular season sidelined with an injury, but he was one of Penn State’s most impactful players in his two years in State College. He finishes his Penn State career with 69 points (22 goals, 47 assists) in 61 games. Cerrato was drafted in the second round of the 2025 NHL Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes.
This signing is a PTO, meaning Cerrato has decided to forgo his final two years of NCAA eligibility. He will head to the Chicago Wolves- the Hurricanes’ AHL affiliate- for the rest of the regular season and playoffs. With Cerrato, Matt DiMarsico, and Aiden Fink already moving on to professional hockey, Penn State’s top six will have a very different look next season.
The incoming recruiting class is stacked with talent at forward, and the Nittany Lions will likely supplement with the transfer portal, but we could be looking at a rebuilding-ish season in 2026-27.