A look back at NY Islanders defenseman named to the All-Star Game the last 20 years

Adam Pelech - 2022

In a bit of surprise, Pelech was selected as the Islanders representative for the 2022 All-Star Game in Las Vegas. It's not that Pelech wasn't deserving; he had established himself as a top pair defenseman after the Islanders deep run to the 2021 Stanley Cup Semi-Finals. However, it's not often that the NHL rewards a defensive defenseman with an invitation to the festivities that features a skills competition and 3-on-3 game action.

The 27-year-old had inked an eight-year, $46 million extension prior to the season to stay with the team and presumably alongside defense partner Ryan Pulock, who also signed an eight-year extension during the summer.

“It was definitely a huge surprise at first,” said Pelech after the announcement. “I’m really looking forward to it. As for the part I’m most looking forward to, I guess just really the whole experience. I think it’s going to be pretty cool to be part of that weekend. The All-Star weekend was definitely something I would watch when I was growing up and always looked forward to seeing.”