The New York Rangers agreed to terms on a professional contract with the club’s first round draft pick from the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, forward Hugh Jessiman, a would-be senior at Dartmouth.
“Hugh has impressed our organization with his work ethic and commitment to improving his overall game,” said General Manager Glen Sather. “His desire to be a Ranger is obvious and we look forward to seeing him continue his development at the professional level. His combination of his size, skill and skating ability make him a very bright prospect in our organization.”
Jessiman, 21, skated in 12 games for Dartmouth last season, registering one goal and one assist for two points, along with 18 penalty minutes. The junior forward sustained a tear of the deltoid ligament in his right ankle during the first period of Dartmouth’s game vs. Princeton on November 6. He missed the ensuing 24 games before returning to the Big Green’s lineup for the final two games of the regular season, along with all six of his club’s post-season contests.
The 6-6, 226-pounder appeared in 80 career contests with Dartmouth College, collecting 40 goals and 42 assists for 82 points, along with 137 penalty minutes. During the 2003-04 regular season, Jessiman registered 16 goals and 17 assists for 33 points. His 16 goals tied for the team lead, while he ranked second on the club with 33 points and third with 17 assists. Jessiman also led the Big Green in power-play goals and finished the season tied for seventh nationally with 10. At season’s end, he had eight multiple-point games and was named Second Team All-ECAC and All-Ivy.
As a freshman in 2002-03, Jessiman led his team with 23 goals, ranked second with 47 points and placed third on his club with 24 assists. He finished first overall in ECAC rookie scoring, had 14 multiple-point games, and with his 47 points became Dartmouth’s highest freshman point producer ever.
The Rangers also signed Alvaro Montoya of Michigan, the team’s first-round pick in 2004, two days ago.
