Stealth lose two players in Expansion Draft
July 13, 2005 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
San Jose Stealth News Release
SAN JOSE - San Jose Stealth Managing Director, General Manager and Head Coach Johnny Mouradian announced today that the organization has lost veteran goaltender Rob Blasdell and forward Brad Dairon to the Edmonton Rush in the 2005 National Lacrosse League Expansion Draft.
Blasdell, an eight year NLL veteran, played in five games for the Stealth last season and compiled a 1-2 record. "Blazer" posted a 13.37 goals-against average as well as a 73.08 save percentage. The Orillia, Ontario native holds the league record for most saves in a season (644, 2001-02 Albany Attack), and ranks sixth all-time in saves with 2,670.
Following the draft, Edmonton traded Blasdell to the Arizona Sting for their first round pick in the 2007 NLL Entry Draft.
Dairon played in eight games for the Stealth, notching 10 points (six goals, four assists) while scooping 17 loose balls. Serving as the primary faceoff man the second half of the season, the six-foot-three, 235-pound Burnaby, British Columbia native won 58 percent of the faceoffs he took (67-for-115).
Both players are having great summers playing in Canada. Blasdell plays in the Ontario Lacrosse Association for the Barrie Lakeshores where he's currently boasting a league-best 7.72 goals-against average. Dairon plays in the Western Lacrosse Association for the Burnaby Lakers and has won Player of the Week honors earlier this summer.
"Part of the process with expansion is each team is going to lose two valuable ball players," said Mouradian. "We are losing a couple of fine ball players. Both are having good summers in Canada and we wish them nothing but the best of luck in the upcoming year with their new clubs."
National Lacrosse League Stories from July 13, 2005
- Jax select first players - Portland Lumberjax
- Stealth lose two players in Expansion Draft - San Jose Stealth
- Bandits acquire three players following Expansion Draft - Buffalo Bandits
- Minnesota's Boyle and Campbell taken in NLL Expansion Draft - Minnesota Swarm
- NLL Expansion Draft recap and trades - NLL
- Roughnecks lose Howard and Sharp - Calgary Roughnecks
- Rock acquire Mat Giles and Scott Campbell via trades on day of Expansion Draft - Toronto Rock
- Daly, Halladay selected in Expansion Draft - Colorado Mammoth
- Wings lose Schroeder and Spano in Expansion Draft - Philadelphia Wings
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
