Islanders’ defenseman Adam Pelech is an essential piece needed on Team Canada to help balance their high-flying attack. The NHL is returning to the 2022 Olympics in Beijing after not sending players in 2018. Throughout this gap, the Islanders have become Stanley Cup Contenders and have many players looking to represent their country on the Olympic stage. Pelech is a player that often gets overlooked; yet, is arguably the best shutdown defender in the league and would help stabilize a high offense Canadian defense.

The Olympics are the time to send the undisputed best players in a sport regardless of team composition or chemistry. This tactic can work exceedingly well, but it also has the potential to become dysfunctional due to clashing egos and the inability to share ice time. The 2010 Team Canada Olympic team had Chris Kunitz despite there being better players ahead of him. This selection was due to Sidney Crosby being arguably the best player in the world. The general managers constructed that roster with chemistry and composition in mind and using that logic, Pelech should make the Olympic team due to his outstanding defensive ability.

He deserves to be on Team Canada due to talent alone; however, he is underrated since he does not get much media coverage. Pelech recorded a +/- of 15 last season, along with taking a measly 18 penalty minutes. It is rare to find a shutdown defenseman who has the discipline Pelech does. Discipline and a good plus-minus are something that many front offices desire.

Good stats in little ice time can be misleading, but Pelech’s are not. Pelech has accumulated the second-most ice time by an Islander over the past two seasons in the postseason. Last season he had an average of 21:01 played per game. Pelech’s Corsi For is 51.4% which is great for a defenseman regularly put in tough positions. Typically those who can handle the tough assignments will prosper, and Pelech has proven over his career that he can play against anyone.

It is easy to imagine where Pelech would fit on the roster. Pelech’s dynamic defense paired with Cale Makar’s exuberant offense would make this pairing a nightmare for opposing countries. Makar, runner-up for the Norris Trophy this season, is the backbone of the Colorado Avalanches blueline. Makar has emerged as a top-five defenseman in the NHL and is a lock to make Team Canada. The synergy between the playstyles of the two defensemen would make it a treat to watch for viewers. This could be the top-pair on Team Canada if put together. Pelech could also play with New Jersey Devils defensemen Dougie Hamilton, who is offensively gifted but suffers occasional mental lapses on the defensive end. Pelech has a plethora of offensive defensemen to be paired with on Team Canada and would allow those defensemen to run wild as he covers for any of their potential mistakes.

Many sports analysts and writers have Pelech penciled in the Team Canada roster. It is a 50/50 split to pundits whether Pelech should make it instead of his fellow countrymen such as Morgan Rielly, Jared Spurgeon, Aaron Ekblad and more. TSN’s Mike Johnson had Adam Pelech with Cale Makar on the second defensive-pairing. Pelech placed on his team shows the recognition that Pelech is getting for the Olympic nod.

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Pelech should be a lock for Team Canada. His defensive abilities would help slow down other teams’ top players. His discipline will keep Canada out of penalty trouble and his great advanced analytics will allow the analytical crowd to rejoice in an underrated name and get the recognition he deserves. Pelech should certainly make Team Canada unless the general managers of Team Canada choose to go a flashier, more offensive route.