Howlings caught up with Hugh Jessiman this afternoon. The Rangers 2004 first round pick talked about a couple of things currently going on up in Hartford.
The most pressing item on the agenda was his play in Sunday’s practice on the defense, Jessiman stated that the blueline move was, “Just a single practice experiment.” He added, “The team wanted to take a look at some of the young guys up front so I volunteered to help them out, but it was just a one-time thing and that was it.”
When asked about his plans for the coming season, the 6’6 230 pounder replied, “I want to make it to the NHL and especially the Rangers. I grew up a Rangers fan and it’s my dream to play in MSG. I like Hartford and all, but I really want to play in the NHL. I’m going to come into Hartford and do whatever is asked of me and put up the kind of numbers that will make this organization have to bring me up.”
As Howlings readers know, Thomas Pock was claimed Monday by the New York Islanders off waivers. Speaking of his literally, “one-time” blueline partner, Jessiman said, “P.A. (Parenteau), Pockie and I all knew when we got sent back to Hartford that someone could claim us. When we found out that Tommy was headed to the Islanders, P.A. and I were happy for him because he’s going to get a real shot at playing in the NHL. Tommy’s a great guy and he’s going to do good job for them (Islanders).”
When the Darien, Connecticut native was told of former teammate Steve MacIntyre was put on waivers by the Florida Panthers and claimed by Edmonton, Jessiman remarked, “Hopefully they’ll keep him in Edmonton. He’s one of the toughest guys to fight in the AHL. I’ve seen some of the toughest guys in the league back down from him.” Edmonton is the parent club of the Wolf Pack’s I-91 rivals to the North, the Springfield Falcons. He added, “They’re (Springfield) going to be a tough team this year. They’re going to be good.”
Speaking of enforcer-types, talk moved to the Pack’s current lack of a full-time enforcer. “(Dane) Byers and I are willing to throw down the mitts to protect our teammates, but neither one of us is exactly a super-heavyweight that people are coming in here afraid of. We’ll just have to see what the team does.”
Jessiman and the rest of the Wolf Pack will be in action on Wednesday night with their first game of the Preseason. The Worcester Sharks, the AHL affiliate of the San Jose Sharks, come into Hartford for a 7:00 start at the Koeppel Community Sports Center. The KCSC is located on the campus of Trinity College in Hartford. This first game is a special event because the game will benefit the Ryan Gordon/Hartford Wolf Pack Community Scholars Fund. Donations will be accepted at the door in lieu of an admission charge. If you aren’t aware of who Ryan Gordon is, he was a very special young Wolf Pack fan who passed away in 2006. He asked his parents that a portion of the monies they had set aside for his college education be donated to the Wolf Pack Community Foundation. This game is to help fulfill the wish of someone who lived his life with such a gigantic heart that he has a legacy that will endure and inspire for a VERY long time. There will be a special ceremony honoring the establishment of the fund. To learn more about Ryan Gordon and the type of person he is, Bruce Berlet has more on his new blog.
By all means, if you are anywhere near the Koeppel Community Sports Center, please stop by and give generously.
(Hugh Jessiman photo courtesy of hartfordwolfpack.com)
