The Carolina Hurricanes selected center Charlie Cerrato in the second round of the 2025 NHL Draft on Saturday (49th overall).
Not only does the 20-year-old have DMV roots as a native of Fallston, MD — a town roughly 30 miles north of Baltimore and about a 90-minute drive from DC — he’s also the son of former Washington Commanders general manager Vinny Cerrato.
Vinny, a longtime friend of former Commanders’ owner Dan Snyder, served as the Commanders’ director of player personnel from 1999 to 2001 after spending four years with the San Francisco 49ers under the same title and winning Super Bowl XXIX. From the outside, it appeared as if he and Snyder were running the front office by committee. Cerrato was responsible for acquiring big-name stars like Bruce Smith, Deion Sanders, Irving Fryar, Jeff George, and Mark Carrier – all believed to be the desires of his boss.
After being fired by Marty Schottenheimer in 2001, Vinny was re-hired in 2002 by Snyder with a new title: vice president of football operations. While Vinny was ecstatic to return to the organization, he struggled to shed the perception among fans that he was only there because of his friendship with Snyder and making moves the owner wanted. Vinny eventually resigned from the post in 2009, thus giving way to the Bruce Allen era in Washington.
Months before Vinny left, his previous career as an actor was exposed as fans learned that he appeared in the 1993 feature film Kindergarten Ninja as the character Antonelli.
Over nine seasons at the helm, the Commanders won the NFC East division just once and made only three playoff appearances, compiling a less-than-nice cumulative record of 69-84 (.450 win percentage).
Now, a Baltimore radio host, Vinny has been encouraging of his son’s hockey career, and told WJZ News that his son’s love for the sport began at a young age.
“The preschool was right by the rink, so I’d take him over there and he’d skate from 6 to 7,” Vinny Cerrato said. “And then I’d take him to McDonald’s for breakfast and then I’d drop him at preschool cause I didn’t need to be at Redskins Park until 9.”
“He’s been nothing but supportive from day one, and it’s been great having him and my mom and my two siblings, they’ve been awesome,” Charlie added. “Having a dad who worked in the NFL is cool, but I don’t think it adds any pressure.”
Charlie was the first “overager” off the board in this year’s draft, meaning he was older than typical prospects and was eligible for previous drafts but not selected.
In July 2024, he attended the Pittsburgh Penguins’ development camp and shared his memorable account of meeting Alex Ovechkin in the Washington Capitals locker room as a 4-year-old to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Matt Vensel.
Cerrato and his older brother received the invitation from then-general manager George McPhee.
Despite his Capitals fandom, Cerrato was quick to put allegiances aside when the Penguins came calling after he went unselected in the 2024 draft.
“Growing up a Caps fan, it’s kind of crazy putting the Penguins logo on. But it’s been great so far,” Cerrato said then. “There’s no bad blood or anything like that.”
Although the Penguins didn’t sign him after the camp, he had a breakout 2024-25 season at Penn State instead. Cerrato recorded 42 points (15g, 27a) in 38 games, including a beautiful behind-the-back pass for the primary assist on the goal that sent Penn State to their first-ever Frozen Four this past spring.
Cerrato also spent the 2023-24 season as a member of the USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms, logging an impressive 50 points (12g, 38a) in 45 games, which prompted his opportunity with Pittsburgh.