Oilers Prospect Akey's Resilience
Former Oilers Prospect Beau Akey Overcomes Injuries, Set for Top-Four Defenseman Role in AHL
Beau Akey was once one of the Edmonton Oilers' most exciting young prospects. The offensively skilled defenseman posted an impressive 11-36-47 in 66 games for the Barrie Colts in 2022-23, earning him a spot in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft Edmonton Sun. But injuries have repeatedly stopped him from taking the next step.
Akey missed nearly all of 2023-24, playing just 14 games due to shoulder surgery Brantford Expositor. Now, with a three-year entry-level contract worth $875,000 signed, the question is simple: can he stay healthy and become the top-four AHL defenseman the Oilers believe he can be?
A Breakout Season That Raised Big Expectations
Before injuries hit, Akey looked like a real find. In 2022-23, he put up 47 points in 66 games for Barrie — a strong total for a junior defenseman Ottawa Citizen. Those numbers made him one of the more sought-after blue-liners in his draft class. The Oilers liked what they saw and took him in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
The Oilers also signed him to a three-year entry-level contract at $875,000 per year Edmonton Sun. That deal signals how much the organization values him. Not every drafted defenseman gets that kind of commitment right away.
Shoulder Surgery Derailed His First Pro Season
Akey's 2023-24 season was a near-total loss. Shoulder surgery limited him to just 14 games The Whig. That is a brutal blow for any young player trying to make an impression in their first pro year. Building momentum is everything at that stage of a career.
He did bounce back somewhat in his final OHL season with Barrie. He posted 6-26-32 in 52 games and finished a solid plus-10 Woodstock Sentinel Review. Those numbers show he can still produce even when coming off a major injury. But staying on the ice remains the key challenge.
AHL Coach Sees a Two-Way Threat Ready to Contribute
Bakersfield Condors coach Colin Chaulk has spoken highly of Akey. Chaulk has praised him as a two-way threat and, importantly, a strong "pre-scanner" — a player who reads the ice before he gets the puck Northern News. That skill is rare and valuable. It means he makes smart decisions under pressure.
Chaulk's praise suggests the Oilers see Akey as more than just an offensive player. A defenseman who can defend, move the puck, and read plays is exactly what AHL coaches want Edmonton Journal. If Akey earns a regular top-four role in Bakersfield, it would be a major step toward the NHL.
Health Is the Only Thing Standing Between Akey and the NHL
The talent has never been the issue. Akey has shown he can score, pass, and play in all situations Chatham Daily News. His 47-point junior season proves his offensive ceiling is real. The Oilers clearly believe in him — otherwise, the three-year deal would not exist.
The path forward is straightforward. A healthy season in Bakersfield as a top-four defenseman could put him on the NHL radar fast Fort Saskatchewan Record. He is young enough that one strong, full season could change everything. The Oilers are watching closely.
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