Heading to Vegas: Adam Pelech to Represent Islanders at All-Star Game

The 2022 NHL All-Star festivities are scheduled for Fri, Feb. 4, and Sat, Feb. 5 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The NHL has announced each team’s representatives for the game as defenseman Adam Pelech has been selected to represent the New York Islanders.

⭐️ Pelech is an ALL STAR! ⭐️

Adam Pelech will represent the #Isles as he heads to Vegas for the #NHLAllStar Weekend for the first time ever.

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) January 13, 2022

Adam Pelech is not a player known for his offensive abilities, with just five assists in 25 games played this season. But what he is known for is his ability to shut down the best the NHL has to offer.

Player on the rush: looks like i'm going to get a good look here

Adam Pelech: pic.twitter.com/lTeop0jaWv

— Dimitri Filipovic (@DimFilipovic) September 29, 2021

Usually players of Pelech’s skillset, defensive-defenseman, do not receive the recognition that offensive defensemen get like Tampa Bay Lightning’s Victor Hedman, Los Angeles Kings Drew Doughty, or Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar.

Pelech leads all Islanders defenseman with 10 takeaways and has only taken one penalty on the season. He is second amongst Islanders’ defense with 42 blocks and 13 giveaways.

New York Islanders forward Mat Barzal, who leads the team with 21 points (6 goals, 15 assists), did not make the All-Star Game, but is the Islanders candidate for Last Man Voting.

Barzal was an All-Star in 2020 where he beat out Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid to win the Fastest Skater crown. He also made it in 2021.

This is the first time Pelech has been awarded an All-Star spot during his seven-year NHL career.