Former NHL player Paul Bissonnette found himself in the hospital following an assault by a group of seven men during a brawl at a Scottsdale, Arizona restaurant over the weekend. Bissonnette, who is known for his career with the Phoenix Coyotes and his current role as a hockey analyst and podcaster, shared details of the incident in a video posted on social media platform X.
The altercation began on Sunday night at Houston’s, a restaurant favored by Bissonnette. While dining, he noticed a disturbance at the bar involving a group of intoxicated golfers. When one of the patrons began confronting the restaurant’s manager, Bissonnette felt compelled to step in. He approached the man, warning him about his behavior towards the staff, which escalated quickly into a physical confrontation involving multiple individuals.
Bissonnette described the fight as rapidly intensifying, with the chaos spilling out from the restaurant into the parking lot and eventually to a nearby CVS store. During the skirmish, he faced several blows to the head but fortunately did not lose consciousness. He was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at a local hospital.
Scottsdale police confirmed that they responded promptly, arresting six of the seven assailants, who now face charges of assault and disorderly conduct. Bissonnette expressed gratitude to the restaurant staff and the police for their swift action, and condemned the behavior of the unruly patrons, emphasizing that such conduct is completely unacceptable in a family-friendly environment.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining decorum in public spaces and holding individuals accountable for their actions. It’s hopeful that the swift response from law enforcement will deter such aggression in the future and foster safer environments for everyone. Bissonnette’s resolve to stand up against unacceptable behavior is commendable and highlights the need for community members to look out for one another.