A third-round pick by the Islanders (No. 65) in the 2012 NHL Draft, Pelech played four seasons with Erie of the Ontario Hockey League, where he was a teammate of Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid.

He began his professional career with Bridgeport of the American Hockey League and had 11 assists and 48 penalty minutes in 65 games during the 2014-15 season. Pelech made his NHL debut Nov. 13, 2015 at the Anaheim Ducks, where he scored his first NHL goal Nov. 22, 2016.

Pelech split the 2016-17 season between Bridgeport and New York but played 44 NHL games and scored 10 points (three goals, seven assists). The Islanders signed Pelech to a four-year contract July 24, 2017.

He was plus-7 in 78 games in 2017-18, despite the Islanders allowing an NHL-high 293 goals.

Pelech emerged as a top defenseman in 2018-19 under coach Barry Trotz. He had 21 points (five goals, 16 assists) and was plus-22 in 78 games, helping New York reach the Eastern Conference Second Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Pelech represented Canada at the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship. He has two older brothers who have been involved in hockey: Matt Pelech was a first-round pick (No. 26) by the Calgary Flames in the 2005 NHL Draft, and Michael Pelech was chosen by the Los Angeles Kings in the sixth round (No. 156) of the 2009 NHL Draft.

Pelech is the nephew of former Vancouver Canucks general manager Mike Gillis.

NOTES & TRANSACTIONS

• OHL Second All-Star Team (2014)