Paul Bissonnette, an ex NHL player and a hockey analyst on TNT, was attacked by six men at an Arizona restaurant Sunday night after he accused a group of “drunk golfers” of causing a scene after being denied service.
Bissonnette, who last played for the league. Arizona Coyotes, released a video statement on social media Monday after news broke that six people had been arrested and are facing assault and disorderly conduct charges for an incident at a Houston restaurant in Scottsdale. .
Paul Bissonnette attends the 2023 Discover NHL Winter Classic game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Boston Bruins at Fenway Park on January 2, 2023 in Boston. (Ben Jackson/NHLI via Getty Images)
The former hockey player, who also hosts a podcast on Barstool, gave his version of events in a video posted on X. He explained that the incident happened at a restaurant he frequents and he became involved when he saw one of the men getting physical with the restaurant manager.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
“I go to this place called Houston for dinner — I go there three or four times a week. The staff is incredible, the food is incredible and like nice people, I love going there,” he began. .
“At one point there was a bit of a commotion in the bar – it was a bunch of drunk golfers. Things obviously escalated. They asked a man to leave, and then a man in the manager’s face. His hands kept hitting him, and it went on for maybe 30-45 seconds, you could tell he was a little surprised and stunned.
FILE – Calgary Flames right wing Tim Jackman, #15, and Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Paul Bissonnette, #12, fight during the third period at the Scotiabank Saddledome on September 25, 2013. (Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports)
“It’s a family restaurant, I don’t think there was anyone who could help him. So I went up, I just grabbed the arm of the guy who was walking. [the manager]. I said, ‘Sir, if you continue to harass and assault the staff, we will have trouble.’ And then they just started to bite. Therefore, it grew very quickly. I think it was seven guys that I fought with all the way from the restaurant to CVS to the parking lot.”
NHL player ruptures testicle after taking puck to groin
Bissonnette, 39, said the fight spilled into the street and claimed he was kicked in the head several times. He said that as a result he was taken to the hospital.
“Got down multiple times. Got booted in the head three times by CVS – luckily not knocked out,” he said in the video.
“Just like bad dudes. Too drunk and I don’t know what else was in their system, but yeah, I’m very angry with those guys and I want their names out there and I want them to Pay them. Piper is just unacceptable behavior in a family restaurant because they couldn’t take another cocktail and didn’t want to take ‘no’ for an answer. Will have to.”
Phoenix Coyotes’ Paul Bissonnette passes the puck against the Colorado Avalanche during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013, in Glendale, Arizona. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
Click here to get the Fox News app.
According to FOX10, Scottsdale police arrested six people involved in the fight on charges of assault and disorderly conduct. Five are facing corruption charges and the sixth is facing felony charges. They have not been identified by law enforcement, according to the report.
“An altercation broke out inside the restaurant with six adult men and management. According to reports, Paul Bissonnette tried to help management calm the men down and leave. The situation escalated to the point where the men attacked Paul Bissonnette inside and outside the restaurant, Scottsdale Police Sgt.
Bissonnette played in the NHL from 2008-2014, spending his final six seasons with the Arizona Coyotes.
Follow Fox News Digital. Sports coverage on Xand subscribe. Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.