By Gene Pereira
Like most young hockey prospects getting ready for the big day, Beau Akey went to a local tailor shop and got himself a brand new suit.
“I got myself all fitted up for the draft,” said the Barrie Colts defenseman ahead of Wednesday’s (June 28) 2023 NHL Entry Draft at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
Ask him what colour the suit is or what it looks like and the young NHL draft prospect shuts things down like he does opposing forwards.
“I’ll save the suit, like show and tell, for draft day,” said the 18-year-old native of Waterloo, before breaking into a laugh. “Yeah, I’ll save it until draft day.”
While Akey’s fashion sense has been fairly impressive for anyone who’s seen him walk into the rink on game day, his two-way game on the blue line is why he’s expected to go in the opening two rounds of this year’s NHL draft.
“Beau is one of the best skating, offensive defensemen in the 2023 NHL draft,” said Mark Seidel, Colts director of player personnel and director of scouting at North American Central Scouting. “His ability to go back and retrieve pucks and exit the zone with his feet or by making a smart, crisp pass make him a very attractive prospect for NHL teams.
“He also has a high hockey IQ and that, combined with his offensive upside, will see him taken in the first or second round.
Akey is one of four players in the organization who could hear their names called over the two-day draft in Music City.
Beau Jelsma (ranked 190th), Connor Punnett, and import pick Eduard Sale (4th overall among international skaters), could also be pulling on an NHL jersey this week.
“I’m super excited, but obviously you’re wondering who is going to pick you up and who’s interested,” said Akey, who admits he’s been counting down the days leading to the draft. “I wouldn’t say stressful, but definitely anxious.
“I’m ready to get the draft going already.”
Akey finished 33rd overall on the NHL Central Scouting’s Final Rankings among North American skaters. The fluid six-foot, 173-pound defender is the seventh-ranked blueliner on the list and while it’d be nice to hear his name called early, he just wants to have it called and with it the opportunity to show he can play in the NHL.
“I’m not worried about going first round or seventh round, it’s just the opportunity that I’m really looking forward to,” he said. “I know I’ll take advantage of it.
“I know I’m a hard worker, so hopefully that will pay off. I’m just looking for that one team to give me an opportunity.”
Akey was given a big opportunity coming into last season with the Colts. With captain Brandt Clarke opening the season with the Los Angeles Kings, it gave Akey the opportunity to show he could be the main guy on the point.
The player who could lug a ton of minutes, quarterback the power play, kill penalties and be on the ice whether his team was looking for the tying goal or help defend the lead.
“Every player dreams of being the guy that everything goes through,” said Akey, a 19th overall pick of the Colts in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection. “Being that No. 1 power play guy, that No. 1 five-on-five guy, that No. 1 PK guy, obviously it’s a special thing to be able to do that and at the start of the year I was obviously pumped to take on that role
“Now it’s a couple of more guys leaving on the defensive end and I’ve more excited to start my third year and get some more experience under my belt and play a much bigger role this year.”
Akey’s game began to blossom in the second half of the first year. With Clarke gone at the start of last year, he stepped into the spotlight and scouts took notice.
His name shot up the NHL draft rankings. Akey listened, learned what he could from the coaching staff and let his natural skills take over.
“I think it’s just that belief in yourself, that confidence that you can go out there every single shift and play your game how you want to play and not worry about turning the puck over,” said the strong skater, who finished last season with a career high 11 goals and 36 assists for 47 points. “Where you don’t even think about making the play, you just make them.
“I really pride myself on my development. Obviously I just stay patient and understand that there’s a whole process in hockey in becoming a better player. So I’m just sticking with the process here every day, especially with the summer here.”
Akey’s responsibilities changed when Clarke was returned by Los Angles after the world juniors. His approach didn’t and while it may have meant less ice time, the defender used his star teammates return to do what all smart hockey players do; he learned all he can from watching Clarke.
The Barrie captain dominated in his return, racking up a ridiculous 23 goals and 61 points in just 31 games. Akey just made the point to soak all he can from a teammate who had played at the biggest level, won a world junior gold medal and was more than willing to pass on what he’s learned.
“Obviously Brandt is a special player and is a gifted player in his offensive ability. He makes plays that nobody else sees on the ice. I think with his experience in L.A, he definitely learned some more things and then brought that back to the OHL.
“He’s a lot better. His skating is a lot better; he practices better, scores better. So I see him learning all these things and then I can kind of take more out of his game and implement it to mine.”
Akey has worked just as hard to be the guy who helps keep the puck out of the net. For him, being that dependable defender is important if he wants to play in the NHL.
“I’m trying to improve my two-way game and I definitely think I did a good job of that this year. Really proving that I can play a goal up or a goal down or at any time of the game.
“I’m just trying to develop into a reliable two-way guy.”
Akey knows it’s been a long road just to get to this point and have this kind of opportunity, but he knows there’s much more work ahead.
Still, he knows getting here wouldn’t be possible without the help of his family, especially his father, David, and mother, Lisa.
“They started it. They were the ones driving me to the rink every day, the ones picking me up from school,” said Akey. “They’re a part of every day of your life when you’re younger. They do everything they can for you. They just hope for you to succeed.
“I was very fortunate to have parents that put me in lacrosse, drove me to hockey, paid for my hockey, and wanted to see me do well at something. I’m very appreciative of them for everything and this special opportunity.”
Akey especially leaned on his dad during this past season. With draft years comes much more attention from scouts along with the pressure to perform night-in-and-night-out.
“My dad played in the OHL (London and Sudbury, 1986-89) and he just said, ‘play for yourself. You don’t really play for anybody else, but yourself,’” Akey said of his dad’s advice. “I gave everything I had for the team and everything I had for myself. I didn’t worry about who thought I was good and where they had me ranked or where anybody had me ranked.
“I just cared about playing my game, playing for the coaches, playing for my teammates and the guys on the bench right beside me. So, I just focused on playing my own game and not too much else.”
Akey says there’s been others who helped him greatly get to this point.
The coaching staff over his two years, including head coach Marty Williamson, assistants Philip Barski, Dylan Smoskowtiz and Dennis Martindale, along with former assistant Chris Dennis, he says have made a huge difference in his game.
“Each and every one of them had something special to give me and I think I’ve learned pretty well from them. I can’t really be more grateful.”
His summer team back home of Tyler Owens and Tyler Taylor have also been a great source of help and inspiration.
“Just putting me through the summer process and making sure I’m working hard over the summer increasing and developing my skill.” said Akey.
ICE CHIPS: The OHL announced the home opening dates for all 20 OHL teams on Monday and the Colts will kick off their 2023-24 regular season schedule against the North Bay Battalion at Sadlon Arena on Thursday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. Barrie will complete the home-and-home matchup the following night (Friday, Sept. 29) in North Bay. Game time is also 7 p.m. The remainder of the OHL schedule should be released this week. . . Orillia native and Owen Sound Attack winger Colby Barlow should be the first local player to hear his name called on Wednesday. Barlow was ranked 12th overall on the final NHL Central Scouting Rankings.
