Hurricanes Prospect Positional Rankings: Center
It's all Chicago Wolves!
Welcome BACK to the series that will take up some downtime during the summer. I will go through the Carolina Hurricanes prospect farm, pick out a position group, and update everyone on these players. These updates will consist of how they played this past season, what strengths and weaknesses are in their game, and a projected (if there is one) NHL timeline. These lists will also be a ranking of the position as well, with players listed higher being the guys closer to the NHL and with more potential. For the final installment of the rankings, we’re going over centers, which has 2 legit NHL prospects!
Is it only because there are 2 center prospects in the system? You bet!
1. Ivan Ryabkin, Chicago Wolves (AHL)
Last year’s stats: (AHL) - 52 GP, 5 goals, 14 assists, 19 points (QMJHL) - 26 GP, 17 goals, 34 assists, 51 points
Well, his name was in some interesting things this offseason. At the end of the day, to the shock of all, nothing happened. Which is great, because what Ivan was able to play like at the end of last season was amazing. He looked like a completely different player to the one at the start of the year and truly looked like a 2nd round pick. He was physical without overstepping boundaries (at least in the refs eyes), he was contributing on the offensive side in multiple different ways. He was good in transition, being the shooter or the puck carrier into the offensive zone. Ryabkin was a decent connector of plays and, most importantly to me, loved the middle of the ice. Whether it was down the middle in transition or in front of the net, he wanted the middle of the ice. He’s well on his way on to being a Rat, and that’s something special.
Outlook for 2026/27: A full year in the AHL as a center, maybe? If anything, a full AHL season.
Projected NHL ETA: 2028/29? Maybe earlier?
2. Charlie Cerrato, Penn State (NCAA)
Last year’s stats: 86 GP, 22 goals, 56 assists, 78 points
Injuries suck. Cerrato was well on his way to a stellar sophomore season at Penn State before an injury derailed that. He then made a valiant effort to come back from that injury, looked decent in the games he played, and then another injury took him out. Cerrato is a pro level player, more so a pro level center, across the board. He was great taking faceoffs in both years at Penn State, the offense was great. He excels in transition, being able to weave in and out of defenders while also filling the correct lane. He’s a playmaker first, as his passing and decision making flashes the most, but his shot is pretty decent as well. I keep thinking of the goal he scored at the Spengler Cup, where he picked the corner on a pro goalie on the power play. The defense is also nice and there is still room for growth there too. If his game translates to pro level and he has a healthy season in Chicago, I wouldn’t be shocked if he pushed for an NHL debut at the end of the 2026/27 season.
Outlook for 2026/27: A top 6 center for the Chicago Wolves.
Projected NHL ETA: 2027/28