Beau Akey’s presence at this year’s Edmonton Oilers rookie camp cannot be overlooked.
As one of just two defencemen drafted by the club out of the group of eight present this week in Penticton, B.C., the six-foot, 183-pound native of Waterloo, Ont., understands big things will be expected of him.
The question on everyone’s mind is, when?
Having turned 19 in February, Akey will have his eyes set on a return to main training camp with the Oilers again this year, following a solid outing there a year ago, where he dressed for a pre-season game against the Winnipeg Jets.
Unfortunately, his camp experience was followed by a shoulder injury that required surgery and derailed the rest of his season, having gone on to play just 14 games after being sent to the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League.
“I was going into the season on a high coming back from camp and I was feeling great,” Akey said during a recent trip to Edmonton for development camp this summer. “Early on, I felt I was playing great and unfortunately, I got injured.
“I had been battling injuries with that same shoulder for a while, and it was actually kind of nice to have the surgery and be able to recover fully from that injury.”
He still managed to earn nine points (four goals, five assists) in his limited time with the team, which will count on him as a go-to force on the blue line this year as he looks to get his development back on track.
Not that he felt last year was an entire waste.
“Seeing the game from up in the stands, it’s a lot different than being on the ice,” he said. “It allows you to get that coach’s perspective, like getting your head up a lot more.
“And you can visualize those plays coaches are talking about when you’re sitting up there in the stands.”
Drafted in the second round (56th overall) by the Oilers in 2023, Akey was coming off his second season in Barrie with 47 points (11 goals, 36 assists) in 66 games, before adding five points (two goals, three assists) in 13 playoff appearances.
And he is looking to take the next step in his progression now that he’s back to full health.
“I’m just looking at getting back to being myself,” he said. “Last season was a rough season, but my head(space) is good and I’m really looking forward to getting back to hockey.”
A fleet-footed defender who can move the puck out of the zone by pinpoint passing or on his own stick, Akey is currently projected as a top-four pairing on the Oilers.
Whether that takes two or three years depends on a number of factors, including his health, development and the Oilers needs — none of which the club can afford to become impatient with.
Not that they would want to when it comes to someone in the running for the tag as top prospect.
“Beau missed a significant amount of time with his shoulder, so the big thing with him is getting him playing,” Oilers director of amateur scouting Rick Pracey told nhl.com. “He’s an excellent skater, so we think it’s just going to be a matter of time before he gets back up to speed within his environment and pushing along.
“His skating is a difference-maker. When you combine that with his hockey sense and ability to move the puck, (zone) exits and entries and a two-way style game that’s transitional to the NHL level, we’ll see where his offensive game goes. We think there is offensive potential and offensive upside even at the highest level.”
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On Twitter: @GerryModdejonge