Retired NHL player and current hockey analyst Paul Bissonnette found himself in an altercation at a Scottsdale, Arizona, restaurant on Sunday night. Bissonnette, who played for the Arizona Coyotes and now works for TNT, alleges he was assaulted by six men after intervening in a dispute between restaurant staff and a group of allegedly intoxicated golfers.

In a video statement released on X (formerly Twitter), Bissonnette explained he was dining at Houston’s, a restaurant he frequents, when he witnessed a group of men becoming disruptive. After one of the men allegedly became physical with the restaurant manager, Bissonnette stepped in to de-escalate the situation. He claims that's when the group turned on him, initiating a physical altercation that continued into the parking lot and even spilled over to a nearby CVS.

Bissonnette described being taken down multiple times and kicked in the head, requiring a hospital visit. He expressed anger over the incident, emphasizing the inappropriate behavior displayed by the group, especially in a family-friendly environment. He believes their aggression stemmed from being refused further service.

Scottsdale police confirmed the arrests of six men in connection with the incident, with charges ranging from misdemeanor assault and disorderly conduct to a felony charge for one individual. Authorities have not released the identities of those arrested. Sergeant Allison Sempsis of the Scottsdale Police Department corroborated Bissonnette's account, stating that he had attempted to assist restaurant management before the situation turned violent.

Bissonnette played in the NHL from 2008 to 2014, primarily with the Arizona Coyotes. In addition to his broadcasting career, he also hosts a podcast.