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Oilers Top Prospect Declares: "I'm 100 Percent" and Ready to Earn NHL Roster Spot

Originally posted on Hockey Latest | By Daniel Lucente | Last updated Aug 7, 2025 11:29 AM ET

Oilers top prospect Beau Akey has revealed during the team's development camp that he is feeling 100% and he wants to do whatever it takes to make the NHL roster.

Oilers prospect Beau Akey believes he's right on track again in his pursuit of an NHL roster after battling back from a serious shoulder injury two years ago.

'I'm 100 percent now,' Akey said during Oilers development camp in July. 'I'm looking to make the step to professional hockey (this season), so I'm looking to show the Oilers that at training camp. I want to give my all to try and make the Oilers and try to prove to them I can make an NHL roster.'

Selected 56th overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2023 draft, the 20-year-old blueliner rebounded with a great season for the OHL's Barrie Colts.

Following surgery on both shoulders and missing nearly all of the 2023-24 season, Beau Akey returned this past season and recorded 32 points, through six goals and 26 assists, while also sporting a plus-10 rating in 52 games.

He chipped in with five assists in 16 playoff games as well and became a leader both on and off the ice for the Colts.

'Being out, it was a long year for sure, I'm definitely excited to have it behind me,' Akey said. 'It was a challenge in the first couple of months getting back into the swing of things, your cardio is not there and all those types of things, but I felt after the first couple of months I got into a nice groove.'

Akey remains one of Edmonton's top prospects because of how mobile he is and his great offensive instincts. The Oilers would like to see him develop defensively too, but are encouraged by his development overall.

All Signs Point to Akey Starting Next Season in the AHL With Bakersfield

He's expected to get a good look in training camp this fall by the team's coaches. Though eligible to return to junior, Akey will likely begin the year with the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL with the hopes of getting a call-up to the big squad.

With very few roster openings on Edmonton's veteran blue line, Akey's long-term goal is to find a role as a steady two-way defenseman, though it may not happen right away.

While he may be a year or two from NHL service, his developmental trajectory is once again moving in the right direction, and no one should be surprised to see him for at least a few games in the NHL next season.

This article first appeared on Hockey Latest and was syndicated with permission.

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