NHL star enforcer Paul Bissonnette beaten up by golfers after 'brave stand'

The incident unfolded Sunday night at a Houston’s restaurant on Scottsdale Road.

PUBLISHED NOV 27, 2024

Bissonnette, affectionately known as 'BizNasty', played 202 games in the NHL, primarily with the Coyotes

Scottsdale, Arizona: Paul Bissonnette, known for his time as an enforcer during five seasons with the Arizona Coyotes, recently found himself in an off-ice scuffle that left him battered and bruised.

The incident unfolded Sunday night at a Houston’s restaurant on Scottsdale Road, where Bissonnette is a regular. During an episode of the 'Spittin’ Chiclets' podcast, Bissonnette recounted the ordeal. It began as he was enjoying a meal when he noticed a disturbance near the bar. The commotion involved a group of golfers who, according to Bissonnette, were upset after being denied drinks and had begun harassing staff members. Feeling a sense of loyalty to the restaurant staff, whom he frequents three to four times a week, Bissonnette decided to intervene.

Former NHL player Paul Bissonnette during Capital One's The Match IX at The Park West Palm on February 26, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images for The Match)

“I got up and went over. I grabbed one guy’s arm and said, ‘Listen, buddy, if you keep harassing and assaulting the staff, we’re going to have problems',” Bissonnette said. However, his attempt to de-escalate the situation quickly turned physical. “The guy beside him starts throwing punches, and next thing you know, there’s about four guys swinging at me.”

The fight spilled out into the parking lot, where Bissonnette was eventually knocked to the ground near a dumpster. “When you’re on the ground in situations like that, they’re going to start kicking you in the head,” he explained. Bissonnette said he endured three kicks—one to the neck and two to the head—before managing to escape and take refuge inside a nearby CVS store.

Paul Bissonnette of the Phoenix Coyotes skates prior to the game against the Florida Panthers at the BB&T Center on March 11, 2014 in Sunrise, Florida. The Coyotes defeated the Panthers 3-1. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

Six men were arrested following the altercation. Of them, only 29-year-old Shawn Michael Daly faced felony charges. According to police reports, Daly held Bissonnette to the ground and delivered kicks to his head and neck. Daly also fled the scene but was later apprehended at a nearby hotel, where authorities discovered a fake military ID in his possession. Police confirmed Daly had no military background and acknowledged the fraudulent nature of the ID.

Despite his injuries, including a swollen jaw and bleeding ear, Bissonnette’s actions drew praise from fans and listeners who admired his bravery in defending the restaurant staff. Scottsdale police continue to investigate the incident.

Bissonnette, affectionately known as 'BizNasty', played 202 games in the NHL, primarily with the Coyotes. Renowned for his physicality, he accumulated 22 points (seven goals and 15 assists) and an impressive 340 penalty minutes during his NHL career.

While his offensive contributions were modest, his willingness to protect teammates and drop the gloves made him a fan favorite.