It is time for puck drop on one of the most anticipated moments in hockey each and every year. The World Junior Classic pits the best under-20 hockey players in the world against each other in a must-watch tournament every Christmas and New Year’s season. Well, most of the best, anyways (thanks Hockey Canada selection committee).
For us Edmonton Oilers fans, recent tournaments haven’t had much of a prominent presence of our team’s prospects. Not surprising, given the team’s rising ranks in the NHL entering a competitive window. Most of the prospects that have made the team over the past five tournaments are no longer with the organization. Dylan Holloway, Philip Broberg, Raphael Lavoie, Xavier Bourgault, Reid Schaefer, Matej Blumel, all of whom have represented their countries at the World Junior Classic since 2020, have left the Oilers organization. Leaving Olivier Rodrigue, Joel Maatta, and Luca Munzenberger as the only Oilers prospects with World Juniors experience.
Additionally, the Oilers have only had one prospect at the tournament in the last two seasons, with just Schaefer on Team Canada in 2023 and zero Oilers prospects in the 2024 World Junior Classic.
This makes the 2025 tournament seem as though Edmonton has had a newfound resurgence in the prospect pool as they have two (yes, two!) prospects in Ottawa for the 2025 World Junior Classic. Beau Akey will be representing Team Canada and Paul Fischer will be playing for Team USA.
Here’s a bit more about these two prospects and what could be expected from them in the tournament!
Beau Akey, defence, Team Canada
Akey’s inclusion on this team came as a bit of a surprise to most people, Oilers fans included. With a pool of players to select from that includes the notable omission of Carter Yakemchuk and Zayne Parekh, Akey was not really on many people’s radar for this team. But, he made it nonetheless.
The Oilers second-round pick in the 2023 NHL draft, Akey was seen as a sneaky good pick for where the team got him. A skilled, offensively talented right-shot defender has a ton of value in any organization, especially one like Edmonton. Since the draft, he has generally been regarded as one of the top prospects the Oilers have.
One of the key stengths of Akey’s game is his skating. He is extremely mobile and can use his speed to create offence, with timely pinches and strong transition play. He also has learned how to capitalize on this defensively by using his agility to position well and prevent rush offence from the opposition. Although he may not be the most imposing figure around at six-foot and 183 pounds, his elusiveness and stickwork elevate his game to counter that.
Akey currently plays in the OHL with the Barrie Colts. In 2024–25, he has 19 points in 25 games. Unfortunately, he missed almost all of his post-draft season due to shoulder injuries, but he did have nine points in 14 games leading up to it. His offensive game is developing every season as he pushes closer and closer to being a point-per-game player in the OHL.
Although Akey has the potential to be a strong offensive contributor for this team, even toying with the possibility of taking on the role of quarterbacking a powerplay unit, he may find himself the odd-man out. To start the tournament, at least. Practice lines from Christmas Day had Akey on the fourth pairing.
Lines from Team Canada practice:
— Alex Adams (@alexadamsBTP_) December 25, 2024
Nadeau – Ritchie – Cowan
McKenna – Catton – Pinelli
Howe – Yager – Martone
Beaudoin – Luchanko – Gauthier
Rehkopf, Cataford
Molendyk – Gibson
Schaefer – Bonk
Dickinson – Mynio
Akey- Price#WorldJuniors
Hopefully, Akey is able to crack the lineup and showcase his talent.
Paul Fischer, defence, Team USA
In what was originally deemed a bit of a throwaway trade in the aftermath of the Holloway/Broberg offer sheet situation, the Oilers acquired Fischer from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for future considerations. And most of Oil Country didn’t think much of it.
But, it turns out, Fischer is a good prospect and player in his own right. Good enough to make a strong Team USA roster for the 2025 World Juniors.
A bit of a contrast to Akey’s flashier offensive game, Fischer plays a more low-key defensive style. He excels at keeping the game simple and making strong, instinctive decisions. He probably fits the modern day definition of a stay-at-home defender. Physical and not afraid to block shots, he has developed a reputation of being a reliable defender.
But, to fit that stay-at-home style to the modern game, Fischer has developed his skating to compete and add a new dimension to his defensive defender repertoire. This mobility does give him some offensive upside, as well. In 52 games with the University of Notre Dame over the past two seasons, he has 23 assists and 25 points.
Fischer’s skillset as a minute-munching, defensive presence should give him a niche role on the team’s defence, particularly on the penalty kill. But, he did slot in on the fourth pair in a pre-tournament game and may find himself on the outside looking in to start.
Which Oilers prospect are you most excited to watch at the 2025 World Junior Classic? Who else should have made it? Drop a comment down below!
