TNT analyst, former Coyotes winger Paul Bissonnette injured in Scottsdale assault

NHL on TNT analyst and former Phoenix Coyotes winger Paul Bissonnette was sent to the hospital after he was assaulted Sunday night at the Houston’s restaurant on the northeast corner of McDonald Drive and Scottsdale Road, the Scottsdale Police Department confirmed to KTAR News 92.3 FM.

Bissonnette confirmed the fight on his Spittin’ Chiclets podcast recorded a day after the assault.

Police said Bissonnette, who played for the Phoenix Coyotes from 2009-14, tried to help management calm three men who were in an altercation with Houston’s management by getting them to leave. The men then assaulted Bissonnette “inside and outside” the restaurant around 7:30 p.m., according to police.

All three men were arrested and booked on assault and disorderly conduct charges. A total of six people were arrested related to the incident.

Bissonnette said that he tried to help management calm a group of golfers who were aggressively arguing with a Houston’s restaurant management team about where they were allowed to drink.

The former hockey player, who frequents the restaurant, said he approached the group after two of the men were yelling at the manager and assistant manager. Bissonnette on his podcast (explicit language) accused the men of being inebriated.

“I walk over, I grab the guy’s arm and I say, ‘Listen, buddy, if you keep harassing and assaulting the staff here, we’re going to go outside and we’re going to have some problems,” Bissonnette said on the podcast. “The minute that left my mouth, the guy besides him starts throwing punches. And next thing you know there’s four guys swinging at me.”

Emergency medical services were called for Bissonnette, and he was taken to the hospital for further evaluation, according to police.

The Scottsdale Police Department added the injuries were “believed to be non-life-threatening.”

Bissonnette said he was on medicine and doing OK after taking kicks to the neck and head, among other things.

Bissonnette was speaking about the incident because he wanted the group of men to be held accountable.

“I’ll get their names, boys, and this is going to be a thing,” he said. “Unbelievable staff (at Houston’s). Maybe I felt more of a connection because I go to this Houston’s restaurant three to four times a week.”

Bissonnette has been a radio and TNT analyst for the Coyotes and along with his TNT work is a co-host of Barstool Sports’ Spittin Chiclets podcasts.

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