Three years, and he’s never played in the NHL?

Jokes aside, the Edmonton Oilers announced Tuesday night — hours before puck drop on the 2023-24 season — they signed defenceman Beau Akey to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Akey, 18, showed well during Oilers rookie camp and carried that into a strong showing early in the pre-season, too, with one game.

He was assigned to the OHL’s Barrie Colts, where he’s played his junior hockey each of the last two years, and is already putting up points this year with a goal and three points in four games.

According to PuckPedia, Akey’s deal carries an $859,000 cap hit and a $950,000 AAV. In each year of the agreement, he will receive a $95,000 signing bonus and have a bonus based on his games played. The bonus in year one is worth $80,000, while the second and third years are worth $55,000 and $30,000, respectively.

Since Akey arrived in Edmonton, his stock has drastically increased thanks to performances like this one in the Oilers’ first Young Stars game back in September. So much so that in our own Bruce Curlock’s prospect countdown, Akey came in at number three on the list.

Akey is expected to have a big year for the Colts as he will no longer be playing in the shadow of Brandt Clarke, an offensive defenceman who has graduated the major junior ranks and is now in the LA Kings’ organization.

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.

Player statistics via EliteProspects.