Edmonton Oilers select defenseman Beau Akey No. 56 overall in 2023 NHL Draft

Credit: Beau Akey (© Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports)

Reliable defensive defensemen in the year 2023 don’t need to be 6-foot-4 behemoths. Beau Akey is an unassuming six-foot and 170 pounds, but make no mistake: defense is his calling card. The Edmonton Oilers hope they have a future shutdown artist after selecting Akey No. 56 overall in the second round of the 2023 NHL Draft at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena,

Akey, 18, was overshadowed on the 2022-23 Barrie Colts because his teammate, Los Angeles Kings prospect Brandt Clarke, was so dominant that he snatched most of the headlines. But it’s also partially by design for Akey, who isn’t necessarily trying to get noticed if he’s playing effectively; his tremendous footwork and smothering pursuit of opposing puck carriers are what he does best. He has the type of skill set that could make him especially valuable as a dogged penalty killer. That said, Akey’s offense isn’t a zero by any means. It leapt forward this season as he broke out for 11 goals and 47 points in 66 games in the OHL. He actually attributed his scoring explosion to studying his teammate Clarke’s game. Akey still isn’t a natural scoring weapon, though. He is passive when it comes to forcing the issue with shots from the point, and while he has the speed to transport the puck out of his zone, he isn’t a particularly gifted passer.

Defensively, however, he many of the qualities teams want from a modern defensive blueliner. He’s not going to blow up opposing forwards with thunderous hits, but he can shadow them with his speed and break up zone entries with his active stick. He’s the type of prospect who should quickly endear himself to coaches in the Oilers’ system.

STEVEN ELLIS’ SCOUTING REPORT

“While most eyes have been on Brandt Clarke in Barrie this year, it’s hard to ignore Akey jumping up 30 points this year. He does an excellent job of rushing the puck down the ice from his own zone and he panic-passes the puck far less these days. I’m excited to see how he plays without Clarke in the system next year.”