SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Former Coyote Paul Bissonnette was hospitalized after being assaulted by six men, according to the Scottsdale Police Department. The department recently released those men's identities.
SPD told 12News that the incident happened at the Houston's restaurant near Scottsdale Road and McDonald Drive at about 7:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Six men were inside the restaurant arguing with management when Bissonnette stepped in to try and help calm the situation down and get the men to leave, police said.
"The situation escalated to the men assaulting Paul Bissonnette both inside and outside of the restaurant," SPD said.
Bissonnette was taken to the hospital to be treated for the injuries he suffered in the assault. Police did not say how severely Bissonnette was hurt, but did say the injuries were non-life-threatening.
The six men involved in the incident have been arrested and are facing assault and disorderly conduct charges. Scottsdale police identified them as Henry Mesker, John Carroll, William Carroll, Danny Bradley, Edward Jennings and Sean Daley.
Daley had a fake military ID and is also facing a forgery charge, according to court documents.
Dave Portnoy, the founder and owner of Barstool Sports, which owns the "Spittin' Chiclets" podcast, posted a screenshot of a text conversation with Bissonnette on X (formerly known as Twitter) where Bissonnette said he was okay and "Took some but gave more."
Bissonnette later expanded on that in a video posted on his X account. A portion of what he had to say in the almost three-and-a-half-minute video is below. (Note: Bissonnette's statement does contain strong language.)
I go to dinner at this place called Houston’s. I go there three, four times a week. The staff’s incredible, the food’s incredible and just like good people and I love going there. And, um, the bar where I normally sit was packed. I sat in the dining area and at one point there was a bit of a ruckus going on in the bar. It was a bunch of drunk golfers. Things obviously continued to escalate. They asked one guy to leave and then one guy kept getting in the manager’s face, put his hands on him and that went on for about 30, 45 seconds. And you could tell he was a little shocked and surprised and stunned. It’s a family restaurant.
I don’t think there was anybody in there who could maybe help them out, so, I went over and I just grabbed the guy’s arm that was on him. I said, ‘Sir, if you continue to harass and assault the staff, we’re going to have problems,’ and then they just started chucking. So, it all escalated extremely quickly. I think it was seven guys that I fought with throughout the course of the restaurant, all the way into the parking lot, over to CVS. (I) got taken down a couple times. I got boot f----- in the head three times by the CVS, luckily didn’t get knocked out. (I) did go to the hospital, so that’s probably what everybody’s reading about.
Just like bad dudes, way too drunk and I don’t know what else they had in their system, but, yeah, I’m very, very angry about these guys and how I want their names out there and I want them to pay the piper. Just unacceptable behavior at a family restaurant just because they couldn’t grab another cocktail and didn’t want to hear a no for an answer. And, like I said, at that point with the guy all over the manager, I just figured I had to go over and yeah. So, took some, gave more. I just want to thank not only the staff for having to put up with that, but the police, who were very quick to get on the scene, who arrested six of the seven guys, so that’s huge. And then the police department paramedics came over, helped me out, at least get me checked out. And then the people at the hospital. So, all’s good, guys. It sucks, I got boot f----- in the face a couple times but could have been a lot worse.
Bissonnette, who was nicknamed "Biz Nasty," played for the Coyotes from 2009-14, appearing in 187 games. He had seven goals and 14 assists while playing in the Valley and was known for his toughness and willingness to get into fights.
Since retiring, Bissonnette has made a name for himself in broadcasting as one on the hosts of the popular "Spittin' Chiclets" podcast. He made many appearances on Coyotes' television broadcasts over the years before their departure for Salt Lake City and also works for Turner Sports as an analyst on their national NHL broadcasts.
Bissonnette said he would talk more about the incident on Wednesday's "Spittin' Chiclets" episode.
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