HANOVER, N.H. – If the NHL is counting on young, unsigned marquee players such as Ranger 2003 first-round draft pick Hugh Jessiman to join a replacement league next season, the league had best reassess its strategy.
“The lockout isn’t really my focus at all at this time, but I wouldn’t want to cross the union line if that’s the situation with the NHL next year,” the Dartmouth junior told Slap Shots before last night’s ECAC match here against Princeton. “The players in the union are the guys I’ll be working with and having as my teammates for my whole career, so I certainly don’t think it would be the right move for me to start out as a replacement player.
“I wouldn’t want to do that. I don’t think that would be the right thing for me to do.”
It remains to be seen whether Jessiman will be forced to confront that scenario next year, just as it remains to be seen whether the 20-year-old, 6-6, 215-pound left winger will actually develop into the force up front the Rangers projected when they selected him 12th overall two years ago. It is, however, clear that Jessiman – who returned to school after spurning a very generous Blueshirt contract offer over the summer – has both the desire and temperament to succeed on the big stage of Broadway.
“I’m definitely aware of the expectations that will be there when I get there, I know that I’ll basically be in the limelight all the time, but that’s part of being a Ranger,” Jessiman said. “I think one of the reasons they drafted me and [unsigned 2004 first-round selection] Al Montoya is that they felt we have the personalities to handle the spotlight.
“I’m confident that I’ll be able not only to meet all the expectations, but to play above them.”
It’s going to take time for Jessiman to physically mature into his destiny as a big-league power winger. He played at 190 pounds as a freshman, 205 pounds as a sophomore, and he’s at 215 now. It will likely take him another three years to get to the 230-235 pounds he’ll need to carry to thrive in the NHL. But, most critically, he’s matured emotionally over the last year. He’s developed a work ethic that to a large degree was missing before and immediately after being drafted.
Jessiman spent the summer working out daily at the Rangers’ practice facility in Tarrytown under the supervision of strength coach Reg Grant. He had Darius Kasparaitis, who was rehabbing both his knee and shoulder, as both company and as an example.
“I’ll admit it. When I was drafted, I didn’t have an accurate picture of how much work went into this; I really didn’t know,” Jessiman said. “But being with Darius every day was an eye-opener. He taught me that work ethic is everything. You can have talent and all, but in the end, it’s all about work, and that’s something I’ll never forget.
“I can’t overemphasize how valuable this summer’s experience was for me. The Rangers gave me every resource to improve, and I definitely did. I’m stronger mentally and physically after going through that program. They helped me get better and that’s only going to be of mutual benefit down the road when I am in the organization. It’s going to have an impact on me for the rest of my career.
“I feel stronger mentally and physically. I’m more confident on the ice. I feel more poised with the puck and better prepared to handle responsibility. I couldn’t be more grateful to them.”
Even at the collegiate level, Jessiman is still looking to find his consistent “A” game. His skating is a bit choppy. He can be too cute with the puck. Hey; he’s a kid. But he finishes every check and he’s murder to handle down low in the corners and around the net. The finish isn’t quite there yet, but he clearly has the necessary skill level to be far more than a plugger at the professional level, and he clearly has the ability to be a force this year for Dartmouth, which has a chance to win the ECAC and do damage in the NCAA tournament.
“There were a number of reasons I ultimately decided to come back to school, with the education and progress toward getting a degree being extremely significant factors,” said Jessiman, whose mother, father, two uncles, one grandfather and one aunt are Dartmouth alums. “But having the chance to win definitely played into it. We want to win a championship.
“As far as next year, I’m not focused on that at all. I’m not closing any doors as far as returning or signing a contract. Who knows that the situation will be? But I do know that when I make the decision to come out, I’ll be prepared to play and I’ll be committed to doing whatever it takes.
“I’m going to give it my best.”