Spirit get Hotham and Bass, deal Corrente

The Saginaw Spirit added center Cody Bass and defenseman Andrew Hotham to the roster in a three-way trade with the Mississauga Ice Dogs and Erie Otters today.

Saginaw sent defenseman Matt Corrente and a sixth-round pick in May to the Ice Dogs for Bass (top left) and winger Jordan Skellett. Shortly thereafter, the Spirit traded Skellett, a 2009 third-round pick and a 2009 fifth-round pick to Erie for Hotham (top right) and a fourth round pick in 2009.

Corrente was Saginaw's first-round pick (second overall) in 2004 and was a first-round pick of the New Jersey Devils (30th overall) last summer.

Skellett was Mississauga's first-round pick in 2005 and Bass was the IceDogs' top pick in 2003.

“On behalf of the entire organization I would like to thank Matt and his family for their loyalty to the Saginaw Spirit,” stated Spirit coach-GM Bob Mancini. “Matt was an integral part of our team’s rise to respectability. At this time, I would also like to welcome Cody Bass and Andrew Hotham to our team. I am looking forward to their arrival in Saginaw.”

Both Bass and Hotham are expected to be with the Spirit for Saturday’s road game against the Plymouth Whalers.

Bass was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the fourth round (95th overall) in 2005. The native of Guelph, Ontario, was born on January 7, 1987. Bass scored five goals, 10 assists and added 37 penalty minutes in 21 games as captain of the Ice Dogs this season. He has 35 goals, 59 assists and 322 PIMs in his four season career. Bass was invited to the 2007 World Junior Team Canada Selection Camp.

Hotham will join the Spirit as the team’s third overager, born Aug. 29, 1986. The native of Barrie, Ontario played his rookie season with the Barrie Colts before being traded to the Erie Otters in 2004. This season, Hotham has notched nine goals, 16 assists and 60 PIM along with 19 goals, 66 assists and 342 PIMs in his four-season OHL career. He was named team captain of the Otters following the trade of center Ryan O’Marra to the Spirit earlier this season.

Hotham’s brother, Scott, played one game for the Spirit in 2002 before heading to the Mississauga Ice Dogs. Their father, Greg, played for the IHL's Saginaw Gears in the late 1970’s and spent seven seasons in the NHL.