Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Bulls Announce Deal with Sarnia

Press Release

BELLEVILLE, ON - One of a pair of moves made with the lifting of the OHL trade restrictions this past Monday, Bulls Head Coach and General Manager George Burnett made another move Tuesday.

The Bulls have acquired tenacious centreman Garrett Hooey from the Sarnia Sting in exchange for defenceman Alex Basso and the Bulls' 3rd round selection in 2015.

After spending his rookie season with the Sting and recording 8 goals along with 3 assists in 62 games, Hooey comes to Belleville to provide a competitive presence up front. Sarnia selected Hooey with their second round pick in 2010 (23rd overall) from the Clarington Toros Minor Midget program.

At 6 foot 1, 180 pounds, Hooey brings a high tempo style to the Bulls lineup. Hooey was a member of the Ontario Under 17 Team that won gold under Bulls Assistant Coach Jake Grimes over the Christmas holidays last year in Winnipeg.

"Garrett will add significant depth to our core of young forwards," said Burnett. "He's a guy that obviously came at a price, but we're confident that he can come in and contribute in a variety of ways here."

In exchange, the Bulls send 18 year-old defenceman Alex Basso to Sarnia. Known for his offensive flair, Basso played 116 career games as a Bull, scoring 8 times while providing 30 assists.

Hooey joins Brady Austin as the newest Belleville acquisition, after the Bulls made a second swap with a Western Conference team today sending goaltender Tyson Teichmann to Erie in return for the big defenceman.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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