"The real world" -- a term used by parents of graduating seniors to scare their son or daughter to death. Most '05s succumb to the realization that this may be, for lack of a better phrase, their "last hurrah," and have immersed themselves in the culture (if we can call it that) of being a second-term senior. The luckier ones already have jobs lined up at places like Goldman Sachs or have accepted spots at the nation's top graduate programs -- the rest are currently involved in the job-search equivalent of the "salty dog rag."
Lee Stempniak '05 and Hugh Jessiman '06 have a different type of occupation in mind, one which is only a possibility for a very select few. Their job of choice involves back-breaking manual labor and the always-present threat of severe bodily harm -- and it is coveted by any boy or girl who has ever fallen in love with skates and sticks. This summer, Stempniak will look to fulfill a life long dream of playing in the National Hockey League, while Jessiman's similar plan looks to be delayed for another year.
When Stempniak, a four-year old boy from upstate New York, tried on his first hockey jersey (an old school fit of the Buffalo Sabres), it was clear he would never want to take it off again. Fourteen years later, a strong high school career and an outstanding season (he averaged nearly two points per game) for the Buffalo Lightning of the OPJAHL made Stempniak a no-brainer for Division I recruiters. Courted by the likes of Niagra, Cornell and Yale, Stempniak's college choice was solidified immediately upon visiting Dartmouth.
"As soon as I set foot in Hanover I knew it was the perfect fit for me," said Stempniak.
No one, however, could have predicted what was to come.
If someone had told Lee that he, a kid who was not even picked for the all-star game of his junior league, would be a two-time All-America selection and captain of one of the nation's top college hockey programs, he would have laughed.
"Everything that happened in my four years at Dartmouth was very surprising," said Stempniak.
Stempniak's most thrilling moment would come in 2003.
"I'll never forget the phone call from the St. Louis Blues GM [general manager]," said Stempniak, referring to his selection by the Blues in the fifth round of the NHL draft. "I knew there was a chance that I might be drafted, but I certainly wasn't counting on it and had no expectations going into draft day. It was a dream come true for me."
Stempniak must now come to terms, for the first time in his life, with an uncertain hockey future.
"Hockey has now become a business, so there are no guarantees and not a lot of loyalty to the players. I have to prove myself and show that I belong in their system," said Stempniak.
For the majority of NHL draft picks, their previous 22 years of hockey experience are thrown out the window. The players' futures ride entirely on how they perform during summer workouts and team training camps. No pressure, huh?
"It is tough right now, because I have no idea where I'll be next year or what will happen in the next five months," said Stempniak. "There is a lot of uncertainty."
Stempniak has understandably decided to focus all of his attention on hockey. "I stopped looking for possible jobs in the financial market many months ago," said the economics major. "I am hoping to work out with St. Louis's AHL affiliate team this summer. My goal is to be in the best possible shape I can be for training camp in September."
While Stempniak at least knows where he will be in September, the same cannot be said for his junior teammate, Jessiman.
"At the moment, I am coming back. But it is not definite," says Jessiman.
The reason for his lukewarm commitment to a Big Green return is the undecided status of the NHL lockout. If the chances of playing a 2005-06 NHL season remain bleak, Big Green fans can safely assume Jessiman will don the green and white next year. However, if the players union and owners settle by the end of the summer, the 12th overall pick in the 2003 draft -- the same draft that made Stempniak's dreams a reality "-- seems poised to forego his final year of eligibility and join the New York Rangers.
Like most hockey phenoms, Jessiman was an early starter.
"I started playing hockey at the local rink down in Darien, Conn., when I was five," said Jessiman. "They had a mini-mite league that my dad signed me up for."
Five years later, thoughts of the NHL began creeping into young Hugh's head.
"I started dreaming about playing in the NHL when the Rangers won the Stanley Cup in 1994. I followed them growing up, so after watching them win the Cup, I wanted to do the same."
Attending the Brunswick School for high school, Jessiman visibly distinguished himself, not only among his high school teammates but also among the rest of the nation. He co-captained his team with current Dartmouth defenseman Garret Overlock and averaged almost three points per game his senior season. He was invited multiple times to be a member of the U.S.A. National Development Program in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Jessiman unofficially committed himself to Dartmouth early in his junior year at Brunswick. Two reasons led to this decision.
"I really wanted to step in and play, and Coach Gaudet seemed most willing to give me that chance," Jessiman said.
Nevertheless, another influence over his choice was his family. Jessiman's mother, father, two uncles, grandfather and aunt all are Dartmouth alums. His parents and uncles rowed crew at the College, so it was only natural for Jessiman to continue the athletic tradition set at Dartmouth by his kinfolk.
The 6'6" new recruit easily surpassed the hype and towered over the competition his freshman year. Jessiman recorded a team-best 41 points (19 goals, 22 assists) during the 2002-2003 season and became Dartmouth's highest freshman point producer ever. He was named Rookie of the Year by both the ECAC and Ivy League.
More importantly, his mind-blowing performance led him to be the 12th pick in that year's NHL draft by none other than the favorite team of his childhood, the Rangers.
Jessiman tells the story of his draft experience with a very Dartmouth twist.
"Leading up to the draft, I had to do lots of workouts for teams since I missed the combine because of exams here," said Jessiman.
"I met with most teams in the few days before the draft, so it was good to get a feel for each one," continued Jessiman. "The best part about the draft was seeing the look on my mother's face when my name was called. That, and being with my friends and family for the week, made it a special time."
When he decides to make that next step, Jessiman's pre-season schedule will resemble Stempniak's.
"If the lockout ended and if I turn pro, I would probably go to training camp in mid-September and try to make the team. After camp, some guys stay, and some guys are sent down to Hartford (the Rangers affiliate in the AHL)."
Obviously, Jessiman would like to stay.
As a first-round draft pick, the pressure is a bit less for Jessiman than for Stempniak, but not much. Spots on professional rosters are still minimal and the competition is fierce. And as for every draft pick's least favorite question of 'What if it all doesn't work out?' Jessiman sees himself as having two options.
"I have always been interested in architecture, so I think being an architect would be a pretty good profession for me. It would also be fun being involved in an organization in the NHL, maybe as a general manager."
However, Jessiman refuses to let the pressure get to him.
"I am excited about the next step. I will have to adapt to certain aspects of the professional game and lifestyle, as any rookie would. Hopefully, like here at Dartmouth, I will have good players around me to help me adapt quicker."
It is highly doubtful that will be a problem in the NHL.