(Ricky Gervais voice) Ah, lovely. A nice bit of violence to start the day. Former NHL player, Paul Bissonnette, gets into a scrap with six drunk golfers at a restaurant in Arizona. Because, you know, nothing says “family restaurant” like a bunch of drunken golfers causing a ruckus. (Jimmy Carr voice) I mean, what’s the worst that could happen, right? You’re just trying to get a nice plate of nachos and suddenly you’re in the middle of a hockey fight. (chuckles)
(Lee Evans voice) Now, Paul Bissonnette, the former hockey player, he’s a bit of a hero, really. He steps in to help the manager, who’s being harassed by these drunken oafs. I mean, you’ve got to admire the guy’s bravery. Or stupidity. Depending on how you look at it. (laughs)
(Rowan Atkinson voice) Ah, yes, the eternal conundrum. Do you intervene in a situation that’s clearly escalating out of control, or do you just sit back, enjoy your meal, and let the drunken golfers sort it out themselves? (in a silly voice) I think I would have done the latter, personally. I mean, why risk getting a face full of fists when you can just have a nice glass of wine and watch the chaos unfold? (chuckles)
(Ricky Gervais voice) But no, Paul Bissonnette, he’s a bit of a vigilante, isn’t he? He steps in, tries to calm the situation down, and the next thing you know, he’s fighting six guys in the parking lot. I mean, it’s like something out of a movie. (Jimmy Carr voice) Although, if it was a movie, the six guys would probably be played by a bunch of midgets in funny hats. (laughs)
(Lee Evans voice) Now, the police are involved, and six men have been arrested on charges of assault and disorderly conduct. Although, I’m not sure what the disorderly conduct charge is for. I mean, they were just having a bit of a laugh, weren’t they? (winks)
(Rowan Atkinson voice) Ah, yes, well, I think we can all agree that drunken golfers are a menace to society. I mean, who needs that kind of behavior in a family restaurant? (in a silly voice) Although, if I’m being completely honest, I think I would have enjoyed watching the whole thing unfold. From a safe distance, of course. (chuckles)
(Ricky Gervais voice) Well, there you have it, folks. A lovely bit of violence to start the day. And a reminder that if you’re ever in a situation where you’re being harassed by a group of drunken golfers, just remember: it’s always better to just sit back, enjoy your meal, and let the chaos unfold. (Jimmy Carr voice) Unless you’re Paul Bissonnette, of course. In which case, you can just punch them all in the face. (laughs)
Ex-NHL Enforcer Paul Bissonnette Assaulted by Six Men at Arizona Restaurant
A disturbing altercation unfolded at a family restaurant in Scottsdale, Arizona, on Sunday night, involving former NHL player and hockey analyst Paul Bissonnette. Bissonnette, who played in the league from 2008 to 2014, including six seasons with the Arizona Coyotes, was allegedly assaulted by a group of six men after intervening in a dispute between the group and restaurant staff.
According to Bissonnette’s account on social media, the incident occurred at Houston’s restaurant, a location he frequents, where a group of intoxicated individuals were causing a disturbance after being refused service. One of the men became physical with the restaurant’s manager, prompting Bissonnette to step in and attempt to defuse the situation.
"I go to dinner at this place called Houston’s – I go there like three or four times a week," Bissonnette explained in a video statement. "The staff’s incredible, the food’s incredible, and just like good people, I love going there. 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 probably 30–45 seconds."
Bissonnette described himself as a regular at the restaurant, which is why he felt compelled to intervene. "It’s a family restaurant; I don’t think there was anybody in there who could go maybe help him out. So I went over, I just grabbed the guy’s arm that was on [the manager]. I said, ‘Sir, if you continue to harass and assault the staff, we’re gonna have problems.’"
The situation quickly spiraled out of control, with Bissonnette claiming the group of men turned on him, sparking a violent confrontation that spilled out into the street. "I think it was seven guys I fought with throughout the course of the restaurant all the way into the parking lot over to CVS," Bissonnette stated. "Got taken down a couple of times. I got boot f—ed in the head three times by the CVS – luckily didn’t get knocked out."
Bissonnette was taken to the hospital as a result of the altercation, which left him shaken and seeking justice. "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 at these guys and kind of want their names out there and 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 ‘No’ for an answer."
The Scottsdale Police Department confirmed that six men were arrested and charged with assault and disorderly conduct in connection with the incident. Five of the men are facing misdemeanor charges, while the sixth is facing a felony charge. The suspects’ identities have not been released by law enforcement.
Sgt. Allison Sempsis of the Scottsdale Police Department described the altercation as "an inside the restaurant with six adult men and the management. Reportedly, Paul Bissonnette tried to help management calm the men and get them to leave. The situation escalated to the men assaulting Paul Bissonnette both inside and outside of the restaurant."
