The Pittsburgh Penguins, who are beginning a rebuild after missing the playoffs three straight seasons, selected defenseman Charlie Trethewey in the third round (73rd overall) of the 2025 NHL Draft on Saturday.
The six-foot-one, 20-pound blueliner has local roots, hailing from Ellicott City, Maryland – a town just west of Baltimore. Trethewey played his youth hockey in Pittsburgh, making his selection by the Pens even more special.
Trethewey and his father, Bob, initially moved to the Pittsburgh area during the COVID-19 pandemic so Charlie could play for the Penguins’ Elite Hockey program. They then relocated to Michigan, where Charlie participated in the US National Team Development Program based in Plymouth. He logged 55 points (18 g, 37 a) in 115 games over two seasons for the Under-18 team.
“Obviously, coming back to Pittsburgh, it’s a dream come true,” Trethewey said Monday. “Playing two years here with the Pens Elite, it was awesome. I really enjoyed my time here.”
In a video posted to X by the team on Saturday, Tretheway could be seen celebrating with his family shortly after being selected. “We’re going home,” he yelled after hugging his teary-eyed father.
“Holy s–t, I’m so happy for you,” Bob, a Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania native and long-time Pens fan, said during their embrace. “I’m so happy for you. I’m so happy for you.”
Trethewey was one of 13 players the Penguins picked up in the draft. Pittsburgh had seven selections in the first three rounds alone and used their first of three third-round picks on Trethewey.
Coming into the draft, Trethewey was the 46th-ranked North American skater by NHL Central Scouting. Among just NA defensemen, he was ranked 15th.
“It was great. It was just an unbelievable feeling,” Trethewey told NHL.com’s Wes Crosby. “I’m kind of at a loss for words – I didn’t really think I was going to go to the Pens. I didn’t meet with them at the combine, but like I said, it’s an unbelievable feeling to go to kind of a hometown team for me and represent the Penguins.”
Trethewey will play his freshman season at Boston University this fall.
