Former NHL player Paul Bissonnette found himself hospitalized after a violent altercation involving seven men at a Scottsdale, Arizona restaurant over the weekend. Bissonnette, who currently works as a hockey analyst and podcaster, recounted the incident in a video posted on social media.
The incident took place at Houston’s, a restaurant Bissonnette often visits. While dining, he witnessed a disturbance at the bar involving a group of intoxicated golfers. As tensions escalated, the situation deteriorated when a man refused to leave after being asked by the staff. Bissonnette intervened, attempting to defuse the situation by speaking to the man directly.
However, the situation quickly contorted into a physical brawl, with Bissonnette finding himself outnumbered. The confrontation spilled from the restaurant into the parking lot and even a nearby CVS. Despite receiving multiple blows to the head, he mentioned that it could have been much worse, and he later sought medical attention for non-life-threatening injuries.
Bissonnette expressed his gratitude to the restaurant staff and local police, who responded promptly and arrested six of the assailants, charging them with assault and disorderly conduct. He condemned the behavior of the attackers, describing them as overly intoxicated individuals displaying unacceptable conduct in a family-friendly setting.
This incident highlights the importance of maintaining a safe environment in public spaces and the role that interveners can play in diffusing potentially dangerous situations. While situations like this can be disheartening, it’s heartening to see community members and law enforcement ready to act quickly, demonstrating the values of support and safety. Bissonnette’s resolve not to let the incident overshadow his positive contributions to the community serves as a reminder that harmful behavior should not define public spaces.