Predators acquire Jessiman, Ramholt, deal Gratton

The Nashville Predators, parent club of the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals, announced today that the club has acquired forward Hugh Jessiman from the New York Rangers in exchange for future considerations and defenseman Tim Ramholt from the Philadelphia Flyers for forward Josh Gratton. Both players will report to Milwaukee.

Jessiman was the Rangers’ first pick (12th overall) in the 2003 Entry Draft. The 6-6, 231-pound right wing has spent the past three-plus seasons with Hartford (AHL) and Charlotte (ECHL), amassing 119 points (57g-62a) in 217 professional games.

A season ago, he posted AHL career highs in goals (18), assists (24), points (42), games played (71) and penalty minutes (154) with Hartford. The New York, N.Y., native played three seasons at Dartmouth (ECAC) before joining the Rangers.

Ramholt was also selected in the 2003 Entry Draft, being selected in the second round (39th overall) by Calgary. The 6-1, 195-pound blueliner played his first two North American professional seasons in 2006-07 and 2007-08 with the Flames AHL affiliates in Omaha and Quad City, and appeared in one game with Calgary on Nov. 29, 2007.

The Zurich, Switzerland native was traded to the Philadelphia organization on June 30, 2008, and has played seven games for the Philadelphia Phantoms in 2008-09. Prior to playing in the AHL, Ramholt spent three seasons (2001-03, 04-05) playing in Switzerland, and spent the 2003-04 season with Cape Breton of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Gratton posted a two goals and an assist in seven games with Milwaukee this season.