2014 NHL Draft: Jack Dougherty selected by Nashville Predators in 2nd round

	Class	Position	Shoots	Height	Weight
	2014	Defense	Right	6'2	185
	Team		Hometown		DOB
	U.S. NTDP U-18		Cottage Grove, Minn.		5/25/1996

It may have taken a little longer than he wanted, but Jack Dougherty was all smiles on Saturday morning. The incoming freshman defenseman was selected in the second round of the 2014 NHL Draft by the Nashville Predators, No. 51 overall.

What a great organization to be a part of and a great city to play in! Excited to have a future opportunity to be a Pred! @PredsNHL

— Jack Dougherty (@jackdougherty2) June 28, 2014

Rated by some evaluators as a first-round talent, Dougherty is a great value for the Predators at No. 51.

Past Wisconsin defensemen to be selected in the second round include Jake McCabe (Buffalo, 2012), Justin Schultz (Anaheim, 2008), Cody Goloubef (Columbus, 2008) and Jamie McBain (Carolina, 2006).

Dougherty is the second player selected by the Predators to play defense for the Badgers. Nashville selected Ryan Suter with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2003 NHL Draft. Current Nashville forward Craig Smith played two seasons for the Badgers and was picked by the Predators in the fourth round of the 2009 Draft.

The native of Cottage Grove, Minnesota, is expected to be an immediate contributor at Wisconsin this season. Once committed to Ohio State, Dougherty eventually signed with the Badgers after considering Minnesota, Michigan, Boston College and Boston University.

"I'm going to have a lot of fun playing for a school that develops really a lot of NHL-caliber defensemen," Dougherty told reporters after being selected Saturday. "I think we're going to be really successful and I hope to have a big part in that. The ultimate goal is to win a national championship."

Dougherty is considered a strong defensive player but also has offensive capabilities. He put up seven goals and 21 points in 57 games last season for the U.S. NTDP U-18 team, including a huge goal for the American's in the gold-medal game of the U-18 World Championships.

At Wisconsin, Dougherty is expected to be a player who can run a power play and provide offense from the back end.

"I like to jump in the play," Dougherty said. "I guess I can move along the blue line pretty well and open up shooting lanes and create chances for my team."

Dougherty is already in Madison and taking summer classes at Wisconsin. When asked by reporters at the draft in Philadelphia on Saturday if he's going to attend the Predators' prospects camp this summer, Dougherty said he had to get clearance first.

"I think so. I just have to check with my teachers."

For more hockey coverage, follow Andy on Twitter -- Follow @AndyJohnsonB5Q
You can also reach Andy via e-mail (AndyJohnsonB5Q@gmail.com)