Former NHL player Paul Bissonnette got into a fight with six men who were allegedly drunk and harassing staff at a restaurant.
Bissonnette was known as a fighter during his six seasons in the NHL, but his skills were put to the test Sunday night at a restaurant in Scottsdale, Arizona.
The 39-year-old didn't go looking for a fight. Rather, he was in his favorite place, Houston, which he said he visits several times a week.
“The bar where I usually sit was full. I was sitting in the dining area and at one point there was a bit of a disturbance going on inside the bar,” Bissonnette said in a video posted. ×. “It was a group of drunk golfers. Obviously things continued to escalate. They asked one guy to leave, and then one guy kept putting his hand in the manager's face,” Bissonnette said. said.
The former player went on to say that the assault lasted about 30 to 45 seconds, explaining that he immediately went to the man and told him that if he continued to harass staff, “there would be trouble.”
“He kicked me three times. He shot me once in the neck and twice in the head.”
Bissonnette elaborated on this story on his Barstool Sports podcast.spittin chiclets”, he revealed details of what he said to one of the alleged aggressors.
“I walked up to him and grabbed him by the arm and said, 'Listen, if you keep harassing and assaulting the staff here, you're going to come out and get in trouble.'” “The guy next to me started throwing punches and before I knew it, about four guys started punching me,” he recalled.
“We're in the middle of the bar area and we're just throwing,” the hockey player continued. Bissonnette said that while he was being punched, his shirt was torn, his shoes came off and he was dropped on the ground and “booted”.
“I got kicked three times. Once in the neck and twice in the head,” he continued. “Get their names out, this is going to be a big deal.”
Scottsdale police largely corroborated Bissonnette's story in a statement to Scottsdale police. fox 10 phoenixHowever, he did not comment on whether the men were drunk.
“There was an altercation between six adult males and management inside the restaurant. Paul Bissonnette reportedly attempted to help management calm the men and remove them. The situation escalated. , the men assaulted Paul Bissonnette inside and outside the restaurant, Scottsdale Police Sergeant Alison Sempsis told the outlet.
The men were subsequently identified and charged with the following crimes:
- Danny Bradley charged with misdemeanor assault and disorderly conduct
- John Carroll charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct
- William Carroll charged with two counts of misdemeanor assault and disorderly conduct
- Sean Daly charged with Felony Aggravated Assault, Felony Forgery, and Misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct
- Edward Jennings charged with misdemeanor assault and disorderly conduct
- Henry Mesker charged with misdemeanor assault and disorderly conduct
Daley's felony charge is related to a fraudulent military ID that was reportedly found in his wallet.
Paul Bissonnette (right) punches Jared Ball of the Columbus Blue Jackets during the second period of a game on March 16, 2013.Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images
Bissonnette was especially furious because in her recollection, she described how respectful and talented the restaurant's staff were.
“I'm very, very angry,” he said, assuring the audience that surveillance video of the interaction would be released.
Barstool Sports owner Dave Portnoy, who always tries to find humor in situations, shared a text message from Bissonnette the day after the altercation.
“I saw on the news that you were jumped. Are you okay?” Portnoy asked Bissonnette.
“Well, I took a little, but I gave more,” the former combatant replied.
Portnoy called the response “vintage” Bissonnette.
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