Charlie Cerrato signs PTO with Chicago Wolves
Big time!
Charlie Cerrato, one of the Canes 2nd round picks from the 2025 NHL draft, has signed a PTO (not an ATO, somewhat important distinction) with the Chicago Wolves. No Entry Level Contract yet, but for an important reason.
I’ll openly admit that the Central Bargaining Agreement confuses the absolute hell out of me. I’ve tried to understand it multiple times and just get more and more confused every single time (example: Earl Schwartz being hired by the Hurricanes as a CBA and Salary Cap analyst, someone who knows the ins and outs of this thing). BUT, as was pointed out by Mike McMahon of College Hockey News, players who sign an ATO can’t go back to college if they play in a game. Now, what’s the difference between a PTO and an ATO? Easiest way to describe it is one is for professional (PTO) and the other is for amateur (ATO). For Cerrato, the difference is minimal. This allows him to play in the AHL playoffs* while the Canes and his representatives work on the finer details of his entry level contract. The two examples I mentioned that would be the most discussed would be signing bonuses and, more importantly, when the contract starts.
The asterisk next to the AHL playoffs is due to health. Cerrato battled an injury that kept him out of most of the second half of the NCAA season. He came back in the Big 10 semifinal and then played in Penn State’s NCAA tournament game, but couldn’t finish out said game due to an injury. With the PTO, this allows him the opportunity to play in the AHL if he’s healthy enough to do so, which I certainly hope he is.
Now about Cerrato the player, I love this kid. My first real introduction to his game was at this past season’s development camp, where you could just see how much of a gamer this guy was. It didn’t matter what they were doing, Cerrato wanted to be the best at it. He wanted it more than others and he made sure to show that. The playmaking stands out the most to me, as he’s incredibly dangerous with the puck on his stick. Whether it’s just a connecting pass or it’s the primary assist, Cerrato understands how the game plays out and uses that to his advantage. The defensive side of his game is still a work in progress, but it did make good progress this year.
Also, for those wondering if he’ll be able to stay at center at the NHL level, the answer is a flat out yes. He’s able to drive play, something NHL centers have to be able to do at the next level and the defensive responsibility is getting there. As well, he had a 58.7% faceoff win percentage this past season for Penn State. The year before? 57.2%. I wish there was a way for me to see what his faceoff numbers were at the Spengler Cup but alas.
Lastly, I used this phrase a good amount when talking about him post Development Camp but Charlie “Chuck” Cerrato is a DAWG. Now, what does DAWG mean? It’s a lot of things wrapped into one. To me, it’s a combination of skill level, work ethic, and the ability to be an ass. Cerrato checks all three boxes. He has the skill level to be a top 9 center for the Canes (I’m leaning towards 3C right now, but point production could be closer to a 2C in the future), his work ethic is insanely good, and he has the innate ability to get under someone’s skin. First time I saw that last part was during small ice 2v2s at dev camp, where he made Alexander Rykov and Ivan Ryabkin real mad about something he did (even though Ryabkin might’ve just been doing it back because, well, that’s Ryabkin). It’s the small things like that that can really energize a team.
Also, he says he models his game after Sam Bennett. If you think that is a bad thing, you are wrong. Sam Bennett, moving the questionable hits aside, is a top 6 center that plays a physical style while also having enough skill to contribute on a top power play unit and a contending team’s NHL top 6. If Cerrato is half of what Bennett is, which I think he can and more, then the Hurricanes have a heck of player coming along.
I’ve also been lucky enough to talk to some Penn State people (shoutout Josh Bartosik) about Cerrato as a person, not just a player. The kid is amazing by all counts, a true stand up person. As well, Penn State’s coach Guy Gadowsky loves him. Seen partially by just how much of proud father he is watching Cerrato sign.
This is big for the Hurricanes because they really don’t have many center prospects in the system (it’s legitimately him and Ryabkin). Getting Cerrato to the professional level this soon shows just how far along he is in his development. Wolves and Canes fans are going to love the crap out of this kid.