Retired Phoenix Coyote left wing Paul Bissonnette, 39, probably wished he had his helmet and hockey pads as he tried to help a friend in need. The current TNT NHL host was dining at a Scottsdale, Arizona restaurant when a guest and the manager got into an altercation. He jumped in to help the manager when a full-scale fight broke out. Bissonnette required medical treatment but is thankfully okay.
Paul Bissonnette Describes What Happened
He dines at Houston’s in Scottsdale often. On Sunday night, Bissonnette said a group of six”drunk golfers” got upset because they were cut off. One of the men “became physical” with the restaurant’s manager. The guy put his hands on the manager.
Bissonnette grabbed the man’s arm and said: “Sir, if you continue to harass and assault the staff, we’re gonna have problems.”
A fight broke out quickly. Bissonnette said he thought seven guys were coming at him. The fight continued through the restaurant and into a nearby CVS parking lot. Bissonnette reported that he was taken down and hit in the head three times by the CVS. He was thankful he didn’t lose consciousness.
He described the group as “way too drunk” and exhibiting bad behavior at a family restaurant. They didn’t like being refused service.
Arrests Were Made
Scottsdale police arrested six men with charges of assault and disorderly conduct. Five are charged with misdemeanors, and the sixth is charged with a felony.
It is worth noting that several men’s mugshots show bruised faces leading us to believe that Bissonnette can still hold his own.
Six Men that assaulted Paul Bissonnette have been identified @spittinchiclets https://t.co/axYs7rfG3q pic.twitter.com/f9elGAeptW
— RGF (@rgfray1) November 26, 2024
Paul Bissonnette’s reply to those asking if he’s okay…
“Buddy I used to fight Jeremy Yablonski in Binghamton.”
Biz is a true living legend at this point @spittinchiclets pic.twitter.com/FcLKSChiKJ— RGF (@rgfray1) November 26, 2024
Paul Bissonnette’s Next TNT Appearances
Bissonnette will be on the air on TNT on Wednesday and Friday of Thanksgiving week. It is unclear if he will address the incident on television.
