Welcome to Oilersnation’s Top Prospect Countdown for Summer 2025. This list profiles players and goaltenders under 25 years old who have played fewer than 25 NHL games.

Over five drafts as the general manager of the Edmonton Oilers, Ken Holland selected only five defencemen. Of those five, only two were taken with picks in the first two rounds: Philip Broberg (eighth overall in 2019) and Beau Akey (56th overall in 2023).
Broberg developed into a top-four defender four years after being drafted and left the Oilers as a restricted free agent, signing an offer sheet with the St. Louis Blues. Akey will debut at the professional level in 2025-26 as undoubtedly the top defence prospect in Edmonton&#8217;s system.
Though injuries have slowed his development, Akey has the skating and puck-moving ability of an NHL defenceman. If he hits, the Waterloo, Ontario, native could be a rare homegrown blueliner to stick in Edmonton.
<hr />
<h2><a href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/613079/beau-akey">Beau Akey</a></h2>
Position: Defence
Shoots: Right
Nationality: Canada
Date of Birth: Feb 11, 2005
Drafted: 56th overall in 2023
Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 185 pounds 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-179377" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-13-at-10.01.05-AM.png" alt="" width="776" height="221" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-13-at-10.01.05-AM.png 776w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-13-at-10.01.05-AM-300x85.png 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-13-at-10.01.05-AM-768x219.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 776px) 100vw, 776px" />
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Beau Akey blasts a power-play goal" width="1424" height="801" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xSw43K5xRX0?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<hr />
The Barrie Colts selected Akey 19th overall in the 2021 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection. He posted 16 points in 61 games as a rookie in 2021-22, then broke out the following season with 47 points in 66 games, adding another five points in 13 playoff contests.
Heading into the 2023 NHL Draft, Akey was regarded as one of the top defencemen in his class, ranked 32nd by Elite Prospects, 33rd by NHL Central Scouting, and 38th by FC Hockey. <a href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/nhl-draft-guide/2023">Elite Prospects’ 2023 Draft Guide</a> praised his skating, along with his play both with and without the puck.
<blockquote>&#8220;With his precise and powerful footwork, he can shadow attackers and push them to the outside, pinch on opponents in the offensive zone before they can break out the puck, and absorb and box out attackers rushing to the slot. Some of his best work came off his ability to anticipate players on the rush and use his stick to poke pucks away, as well as while chasing puck carriers in his own end.&#8221;</blockquote>
The Oilers landed Akey with their top pick in the 2023 draft, selecting him 56th overall. With only one selection in the first four rounds, adding a defenceman with serious upside was a win for Edmonton. He impressed at rookie camp and signed his <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-sign-prospect-beau-akey-to-entry-level-contract">entry-level contract</a> in early October.
Akey looked primed for a strong post-draft campaign in 2023-24, scoring four goals and nine points through Barrie’s first 14 games. But in mid-November, he was shut down for the year after undergoing <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/oilers-prospect-beau-akey-suffers-season-ending-sinjury">shoulder surgery</a>. Though the Colts missed the playoffs in what was ultimately a lost season, Akey said the experience of watching from the stands proved valuable.
<blockquote>“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,” <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/oilers-prospect-beau-akey-recovered-from-shoulder-surgery-and-cleared-to-play">he said back in August of 2024</a>. “Seeing the game from up in the stands, it’s a lot different than being on the ice. 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.”</blockquote>
Akey returned in 2024-25, posting 32 points in 52 regular-season games and adding five more in 16 playoff appearances. With top 2025 draft prospect Kashawn Aitcheson handling primary puck-moving and power-play duties, Akey shifted into more of a minute-eating role for the Colts. Akey also suited up in five games for Team Canada at the 2025 World Juniors in Ottawa.
The 2025-26 season will mark Akey’s first taste of professional hockey after four years in the OHL. While he’s Edmonton’s top defence prospect by a wide margin, he’ll face plenty of competition for minutes on a crowded Bakersfield Condors blueline. Cam Dineen, Josh Brown, and Riley Stillman are veterans with experience, while newcomers Alec Regula, Atro Leppanen, <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/bakersfield-condors-signings-edmonton-luke-prokop-son-former-oiler">Luke Prokop</a>, and Damien Carfagna will also be vying for minutes.
<hr />
<h2>Top Prospects Countdown&#8230;</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-summer-2025-prospect-countdown-honourable-mentions">Honourable Mentions</a></li>
<li><a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-summer-2025-prospect-countdown-10-eemil-vinni">No. 10: Eemil Vinni</a></li>
<li><a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-summer-2025-prospect-countdown-9-paul-fischer">No. 9: Paul Fischer</a></li>
<li><a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-summer-2025-prospect-countdown-8-dalyn-wakely">No. 8: Dalyn Wakely</a></li>
<li><a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-summer-2025-prospect-countdown-7-william-nicholl">No. 7: William Nicholl</a></li>
<li><a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-summer-2025-prospect-countdown-6-maxim-beryozkin">No. 6: Maxim Beryozkin</a></li>
<li><a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-summer-2025-prospect-countdown-5-roby-jarventie">No. 5: Roby Jarventie</a></li>
</ul>

Welcome to Oilersnation’s Top Prospect Countdown for Summer 2025. This list profiles players and goaltenders under 25 years old who have played fewer than 25 NHL games.



Over five drafts as the general manager of the Edmonton Oilers, Ken Holland selected only five defencemen. Of those five, only two were taken with picks in the first two rounds: Philip Broberg (eighth overall in 2019) and Beau Akey (56th overall in 2023).

Broberg developed into a top-four defender four years after being drafted and left the Oilers as a restricted free agent, signing an offer sheet with the St. Louis Blues. Akey will debut at the professional level in 2025-26 as undoubtedly the top defence prospect in Edmonton's system.

Though injuries have slowed his development, Akey has the skating and puck-moving ability of an NHL defenceman. If he hits, the Waterloo, Ontario, native could be a rare homegrown blueliner to stick in Edmonton.

<hr />

<h2><a href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/613079/beau-akey">Beau Akey</a></h2>
Position: Defence

Shoots: Right

Nationality: Canada

Date of Birth: Feb 11, 2005

Drafted: 56th overall in 2023

Height: 6-foot-0

Weight: 185 pounds 

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-179377" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-13-at-10.01.05-AM.png" alt="" width="776" height="221" />

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSw43K5xRX0

<hr />
The Barrie Colts selected Akey 19th overall in the 2021 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection. He posted 16 points in 61 games as a rookie in 2021-22, then broke out the following season with 47 points in 66 games, adding another five points in 13 playoff contests.
Heading into the 2023 NHL Draft, Akey was regarded as one of the top defencemen in his class, ranked 32nd by Elite Prospects, 33rd by NHL Central Scouting, and 38th by FC Hockey. <a href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/nhl-draft-guide/2023">Elite Prospects’ 2023 Draft Guide</a> praised his skating, along with his play both with and without the puck.

<blockquote>"With his precise and powerful footwork, he can shadow attackers and push them to the outside, pinch on opponents in the offensive zone before they can break out the puck, and absorb and box out attackers rushing to the slot. Some of his best work came off his ability to anticipate players on the rush and use his stick to poke pucks away, as well as while chasing puck carriers in his own end."</blockquote>
The Oilers landed Akey with their top pick in the 2023 draft, selecting him 56th overall. With only one selection in the first four rounds, adding a defenceman with serious upside was a win for Edmonton. He impressed at rookie camp and signed his <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-sign-prospect-beau-akey-to-entry-level-contract">entry-level contract</a> in early October.
Akey looked primed for a strong post-draft campaign in 2023-24, scoring four goals and nine points through Barrie’s first 14 games. But in mid-November, he was shut down for the year after undergoing <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/oilers-prospect-beau-akey-suffers-season-ending-sinjury">shoulder surgery</a>. Though the Colts missed the playoffs in what was ultimately a lost season, Akey said the experience of watching from the stands proved valuable.

<blockquote>“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,” <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/oilers-prospect-beau-akey-recovered-from-shoulder-surgery-and-cleared-to-play">he said back in August of 2024</a>. “Seeing the game from up in the stands, it’s a lot different than being on the ice. 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.”</blockquote>
Akey returned in 2024-25, posting 32 points in 52 regular-season games and adding five more in 16 playoff appearances. With top 2025 draft prospect Kashawn Aitcheson handling primary puck-moving and power-play duties, Akey shifted into more of a minute-eating role for the Colts. Akey also suited up in five games for Team Canada at the 2025 World Juniors in Ottawa.

The 2025-26 season will mark Akey’s first taste of professional hockey after four years in the OHL. While he’s Edmonton’s top defence prospect by a wide margin, he’ll face plenty of competition for minutes on a crowded Bakersfield Condors blueline. Cam Dineen, Josh Brown, and Riley Stillman are veterans with experience, while newcomers Alec Regula, Atro Leppanen, <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/bakersfield-condors-signings-edmonton-luke-prokop-son-former-oiler">Luke Prokop</a>, and Damien Carfagna will also be vying for minutes.

<hr />

<h2>Top Prospects Countdown...</h2>
<ul>
 	<li><a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-summer-2025-prospect-countdown-honourable-mentions">Honourable Mentions</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-summer-2025-prospect-countdown-10-eemil-vinni">No. 10: Eemil Vinni</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-summer-2025-prospect-countdown-9-paul-fischer">No. 9: Paul Fischer</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-summer-2025-prospect-countdown-8-dalyn-wakely">No. 8: Dalyn Wakely</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-summer-2025-prospect-countdown-7-william-nicholl">No. 7: William Nicholl</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-summer-2025-prospect-countdown-6-maxim-beryozkin">No. 6: Maxim Beryozkin</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-summer-2025-prospect-countdown-5-roby-jarventie">No. 5: Roby Jarventie</a></li>
</ul>

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