The Nashville Predators have inked 2014 second-round selection Jack Dougherty to an entry-level contract. After spending this past season at the University of Wisonsin, he's slated to spend next year playing for the Portland Winterhawks.

It's not too often you see players switch from Collegiate hockey to Junior hockey but that is what we have here. There are multiple reasons why this move makes sense:

More games. Last season Dougherty only played 31 games with the Wisconsin Badgers. Playing with the Portland Winterhawks next season he will be able to take part in 72 plus games. With more than double the amount of games, the young defenseman will be able to get used to a rigorous schedule while having more learning experiences that practices cannot emulate. A better team. As a perennial top team in the WHL, the Portland Winterhawks will play in more meaningful games and be in the thick of things much more. Not only that but being on a good team will make Dougherty look better to the people that are picking team USA's U20 roster. That is a huge and meaningful experience for any prospect so making that team would be great for him. AHL/NHL-Ready in 2016-2017. With Jack Dougherty turning 20 in May, he will not have any trouble with the CHL-NHL agreement which states you have to turn 20 by December of your current season (in this case 2016) in order to play in the AHL. Already has size. The biggest benefit to playing in the college ranks is the time you get to work out. With Dougherty already being 186 pounds, the need to get bigger isn't really there. The necessary weight can be put on in the offseason. Playing more games will be more important for him. Playing rookie and preseason games. Because college players cannot sign contracts, they cannot attend rookie camp or play in the preseason. Those are two great opportunities for the player to play against NHL-quality competition and for the team to gauge how he is doing and offer suggestions for improvement.

As far as development goes, both the Wisconsin Badgers and the Portland Winterhawks have a great reputation of getting players ready for the NHL. While this is not a move that is often made for prospect, the positives are definitely there and it would seem this is a great move for Dougherty's development.

From the Preds: