You all forget one little detail: you don't want the "original" TIE Defender. You want the TIE Defender Elite. ;)
Though it's not directly stated in the new canon anymore, they are an improvement of the original construction and kind of an elegant combination of Imperial and Chiss fighter style. The form, the shields, a hyperdrive for such kind of ship - all inspired by the kind of ships the Chiss have themselves. As for the pilot, I guess it would have to be Skerris, but could be someone from the new book as well.