Senators sign RW UFA "Huge Specimen" Hugh Jessiman

The Ottawa Senators brought in the UFA with the coolest and creepiest nickname in the league this afternoon, signing Hugh Jessiman to a one-year, two-way contract. Terms of the deal aren't yet available.

If you're wondering why you recognize the name, it's probably because Jessiman is considered by some to be one of the "worst" first-round draft picks in league history. Jessiman was drafted in the first round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, but has toiled away in the minors for much of his career since then. He's only played two NHL games--fewer than any other first-rounder from that year, and less than a lot of second-rounders, too--but has put together a very respectable AHL career so far: He has 200P (107G, 93A) in 430 AHL GP. He's a native of Darien, Connecticut, like former Sens forward Ryan Shannon. His nickname, "Huge Specimen." is obviously a play on his name ("Wordplay!"), and is because he's 6'6" and 224 lbs.

One thing you've got to give Jessiman credit for is his perseverance. He wasn't signed to a contract at all last season, so he started the season on a professional try-out deal with the Lake Erie Monsters, showing enough skill to earn a standard player contract with the Abbotsford Heat.

Barring some miraculous development in his game through the off-season, Jessiman will play with the Binghamton Senators this season, and he'll be a good fit down there. With the loss of Corey Locke, the team's in need of some AHL experience, and Jessiman brings that. Still, even with Jessiman and recently-signed Andre Benoit in Bingo, I expect a couple more moves to bolster Bingo's lineup over the coming weeks.