The Philadelphia Wings selected Goalie Rob Blasdell with their first pick (ninth overall) in the National Lacrosse League Dispersal Draft today.

The Arizona Sting franchise has disbanded for the upcoming 2009 season, creating a dispersal draft for the remaining teams in the NLL to claim their 22 players.  The two-round draft enabled each team in the NLL to claim two additional players for their upcoming roster. The expansion Boston Blazers selected three-time All-Star Dan Dawson with the first overall pick. 

Blasdell was on loan to the Wings in 2008, where he recorded 434 saves with a 13.92 goals against average (GAA), and a record of 8-2.  In his 11 seasons in the NLL, Blasdell has a 12.30 GAA, with 3,956 saves.  In 2002, he set the single season record for saves in one season (644) while with the Albany Attack.

The Wings then selected Defender Luke Pinder, a 6’3” 220-pounder, with their second selection (22nd overall).  Pinder, a Kitchener, ON native, was originally drafted by the Sting in the sixth round (72nd overall) in the 2006 NLL Entry Draft.

“We’re excited to have Rob back for 2009 and we are eager to see what Luke Pinder brings to the table; he is a spectacular athlete” said Wings Head Coach Dave Huntley.