Edmonton Oilers assign defenceman Beau Akey to OHL

The Edmonton Oilers have assigned defenceman Beau Akey to the OHL’s Barrie Colts.

Akey, 18, was selected by the Oilers in the second round of the 2023 draft and showed well during rookie camp for the team. He drew in for all games, scoring a goal in his first game and chipping in a few assists.

He showed off everything fans wanted to see, including a great deal of confidence on the ice. That carried over to training camp and last night, where he continued to show off his smooth skating and composure.

With Akey on the ice against the Jets Sunday night, the Oilers controlled 48.15 percent of the shot attempt share, but a staggering 57.82 percent of the expected goal share — the second-highest among Oilers defencemen.

Heading back to Barrie, Akey will open the roster firmly planted atop the defensive depth chart with Brandt Clarke — the only right-shot rearguard ahead of him — turning pro with the LA Kings organization this season. Akey will be looked upon to have a big year, and that’s saying something considering he’s coming off a campaign where he scored 11 goals and 47 points in 66 games finishing 19th in scoring among defencemen in the OHL.

Just days ago, our prospects writer Bruce Curlock dove into the rookie camp and raved in a review of Akey’s game.

“Akey stole the show for the Oilers prospects in the first two games,” Curlock wrote. “If the Oilers had scripted Akey’s prospect tournament performance, it would have been close to his performance.

“Now Akey did appear to wear down in game three. He is a little on the small size and three games in four days may have taken its toll. At just 18 years old, he has lots of time to work on that element of his game.”

Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.