Carolina Hurricanes’ Charlie Cerrato Invited to 2026 NHLPA Rookie Showcase – The Hockey Writers – Carolina Hurricanes

The 16th annual NHLPA Rookie Showcase is right around the corner as the NHLPA and Upper Deck will host the new crop of NHL prospects in Chicago, IL, from July 28 to July 30. Over the last few years, it was held at the Washington Capitals’ practice area in Washington, D.C. Now it’ll take place at the Blackhawks Ice Center Presented by Fifth Third Bank.

Alexander Nikishin represented the Carolina Hurricanes last year before his rookie season. This time around, it’ll be Charlie Cerrato who will represent the defending Stanley Cup Champions.

Cerrato Representing the Defending Champions

Cerrato will join the next batch of prospects at the showcase in Chicago next week during the NHPLA & Upper Deck event. The Hurricanes, back on May 12, signed Cerrato to a three-year entry-level contract (ELC) after two seasons with Penn State. 

Cerrato will be joining the following players in Chicago:

Trey Augustine & Carter Bear (DET), Kashawn Aitcheson & Cole Eiserman (NYI), Filip Bystedt & Quentin Musty (SJS), Sacha Boisvert & Roman Kanterov (CHI), Cole Hutson & Andrew Cristall (WSH), Gavin McKenna (TOR), Porter Martone (PHI), Justin Carbonneau (STL), Trevor Connelly (VGK), Liam Greentree (NYR), James Hagens (BOS), TJ Hughes (COL), Roger McQueen (ANA), Sam O’Reilly (TBL), and Bill Zonnon (PIT).

During his time with the Penn State Nittany Lions, Cerrato tallied 15 goals and 42 points in 38 games during his rookie season (2024-25) and seven goals and 27 points in 23 games in his sophomore season. Overall, Cerrato finished his collegiate career with 22 goals, 47 assists, and 69 points in 61 games. 

Cerrato finished second in the nation in points and assists among freshmen skaters in 2024-25. At the time, he led all Big Ten rookies in goals, assists, and points while also taking home Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors. While his rookie season was impressive, unfortunately, his sophomore season was cut down quite a bit after an injury in January. Overall, Cerrato showed that sooner rather than later, he could make an impact in professional hockey.

Before playing his college hockey at Penn State, he played with the Youngstown Phantoms of the United States Hockey League (USHL). While with the Phantoms, Cerrato tallied 12 goals and 50 points in 45 games. He finished the 2023-24 season ranked second in points and led the team in assists (38).

After finishing his final year with the Nittany Lions, Cerrato signed a professional tryout with the Chicago Wolves at the back end of the 2025-26 season. He played one Calder Cup Playoff game, tallying zero points. He will be entering the second season of his current three-year deal, where he will be a restricted free agent after the 2027-28 season.

When the 2026-27 season rolls around, keep an eye out for the Fallston, MD native to make an impact. He’s been a scorer everywhere, while being an excellent faceoff specialist and great defensively. His two-way style of play fits in well with the Hurricanes.

Being able to join a showcase like this is a boost for Cerrato to show his capabilities not only to the Hurricanes, but the NHL as a whole. There is a lot of optimism and excitement surrounding Cerrato as he sets to begin his first full season of professional hockey.

The Wolves made the Calder Cup Final last season, losing in five games to the Toronto Marlies, and they are looking to make a return trip. If there was someone to lean on alongside Bradly Nadeau, Felix Unger Sorum, Charles Alexis Legault, Justin Robidas, and the other top prospects in the Hurricanes’ system, it’s Cerrato.