When the Rangers drafted 6-foot, 6-inch Hugh Jessiman 12th overall in 2003, he was immediately dubbed “Huge Specimen.”
It wasn’t too much longer before Jessiman became known as “The Huge Mistake.”
Jessiman wasn’t responsible for drafting himself after his freshman season at Dartmouth, so he doesn’t get the blame for the pick. That instead falls on the Rangers’ personnel people who selected Jessiman ahead of Zach Parise, Mike Richards, Dustin Brown, Ryan Getzlaf, Brent Burns and Brent Seabrook, among others who have already made an impact in the NHL.
Still, as a Blueshirts farmhand, Jessiman always was identified with his draft position and with his unique distinction as the only 2003 first-rounder not yet to have played so much as a single NHL game. Now, even if he does make it to the NHL, it won’t be with the Rangers, who yesterday traded the 24-year-old right wing to Nashville for future considerations.
“I think that Hugh needs a fresh start,” Tom Renney, part of the player personnel staff that scouted Jessiman, said before last night’s match at the Garden against the Thrashers. “It’s just come to the point that it’s time.”
Jessiman, who will join the Predators’ Milwaukee AHL team, had been demoted to the Wolf Pack’s fourth line and was scratched from a couple of games in Hartford. It wasn’t happening for him and it wasn’t going to happen for him in this organization.
“Hugh has nothing but good words for the Rangers, but he’s excited to have this chance in another organization,” George Bazos, Jessiman’s agent, told The Post. “I had a conversation with Glen [Sather] a couple of weeks ago in which he said that if it looked like Hugh wasn’t going to get the chance in New York, he’d do what he could for him.
“The Rangers and Glen have always been good to Hugh.”
Jessiman sustained a severe ankle injury very early in his sophomore season. The Rangers believe that dramatically altered both his game and his timeline.
“I ask myself what happened with Hugh, because I had scouted him and certainly was part of the process that culminated with the draft selection,” Renney said. “I do think that the ankle injury set him back quite a bit.
“I think that Hugh still has a chance to play in the NHL, but he has to commit himself to that end. What he is capable of as a pro is still dormant, but there comes a time when you have to fish or cut bait.”
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Renney had nothing but praise for Brendan Shanahan, who on Wednesday told The Post he had reached the conclusion that it is now time to actively hit the free-agent market after having spent all summer through October hoping for a contract offer from the Rangers.
“Brendan’s time as a Ranger was excellent,” said Renney, who often leaned on No. 14 to spread the gospel. “Brendan was an outstanding leader, he brought historical wisdom to the bench, the ice surface and the room. Plus, and not the least, he played very well for us.
“Brendan made an investment in this organization. We’re all better for it. I think we know a little bit better through Brendan what it takes to win.”
Renney did, however, make it clear he believes Shanahan is doing the right thing to seek employment elsewhere for his 21st NHL season.
“Brendan says he can play, and I believe him,” the head coach said. “Would he have value here? Yes, but with the circumstances being what they are, I can’t see a fit.”