Wisconsin Badgers hockey is no stranger to players getting selected in the NHL Draft, and that tradition continued early on in the 2014 NHL Draft. The Nashville Predators selected incoming freshman Jack Dougherty in the second round on Saturday morning.
Dougherty, a Cottage Grove, Min. native became the first Badger picked in the NHL Draft this season after playing for the U.S. NTDP U-18 program (which plays an USHL schedule) this past year.
He also has played at the international level. At the 2014 Under-18 World Hockey Championship, Dougherty scored the opening goal in Team USA’s 5-2 win over the Czech Republic in the gold-medal game and finished the tournament with four points (2-2—4) in seven games. He also won a silver medal with the U.S. at the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial, tying for second on the team with three points
The 6’2″, 185-pound defenseman was a borderline first round prospect according to some publications, but was the No. 21 pick in the 2nd round and the second pick by Nashville in the round as well.
Dougherty is expected to be a major cog in the Badgers defense right out of the gate, considering a lack of serious depth at the position thanks to early NHL exits and graduation. He’s considered an all-around player who stakes well and has a nice offensive game to add to his defensive duties on the ice.
“Even as a high school player, he was a smart two-way player and proved to be very responsible,” said NHL Central Scoutings Greg Rajanen. “He’s also tough and can play the powerplay and work the point well.”
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