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New York Islanders Top 25 Under 25 #9 Adam Pelech

By Jennifer Lapka
Jan 7, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech (50) controls the puck against Washington Capitals right wing Stanislav Galiev (49) during the third period at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech (50) controls the puck against Washington Capitals right wing Stanislav Galiev (49) during the third period at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Islanders depth in the system on defense is further exhibited with Eyes on Isles Top 25 Under 25’s #9, Adam Pelech.

In the small sampling of games Adam Pelech played with the New York Islanders, he acquitted himself quite well. He showed a tremendous amount of poise on the blue line and earned the confidence of the coaching staff and management.

Pelech played his junior hockey with the Eerie Otters, a team he wore the “A” for in his final two years. He scored 20 goals and added 107 assists in 228 games with the Otters and played for Canada in the World Junior Championships twice – serving as an assistant captain for the U18 team and tallying an assist in seven games for the U20.

Solid Two-Way

In Pelech’s relatively short AHL career, Pelech’s scored 2 goals and added 16 assist in 92 games. He was the best defenseman with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers early on in the 2015-16 season and earned him a call up over Ryan Pulock when Thomas Hickey went down to injury and Brian Strait and Marek Zidlicky struggled.

The word on Pelech has been that he’s a solid defenseman who offers – and will offer – steadiness in his own zone. He did exactly that for the Islanders and earned his ice time until he was lost to injury/illness in January.

The Islanders and Pelech kept the issue under wraps during his recovery and it was later revealed that Pelech had suffered from Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. Believed to be season ending, he came back to play in the final two games.

At the NHL level, Pelech has shown that he’s a solid presence in his own end. His trend in junior hockey saw his offensive numbers climb with every year he played. He didn’t get that opportunity for offensive improvement in the AHL before being called up and before his illness, so the jury is out on that.

Next: Top 25 Under 25: #10 Kieffer Bellows

With the Islanders signing Dennis Seidenberg to a one year deal, Pelech’s position on the Islanders depth chart drops a notch and earning a spot on the roster gets that much harder. Still on an Entry Level Contract, Pelech could see himself back in Bridgeport. At this point, it’s not the worst thing just so he plays and gains further pro experience.

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