Paul Albert "BizNasty" Bissonnette (born March 11, 1985) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently with the Phoenix Coyotes organization.
Bissonnette was selected in the fourth round, 121st overall, of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins. When drafted, Bissonnette was playing with the Saginaw Spirit of the junior Ontario Hockey League. During the 2003-04 season, Bissonnette served as the Spirit captain, and finished ninth in points. He played another half season with the Spirit before being traded to the Owen Sound Attack, where he finished the 2004-05 season.
He began his professional career in 2005 with the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL. Bissonnette finished the season with only 14 games in Wheeling. He then played 55 games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League. During the 2006-07 season, he played 65 games with Wheeling. He only appeared in 3 games with the AHL Penguins. After beginning the 2007-08 season in Wheeling, Bissonnette was recalled to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, where he earned a permanent roster position. Due to his size and physicality, Bissonnette earned a spot on the Pittsburgh Penguins roster for the beginning of the 2008-09 season. He was waived in November and spent the rest of the season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
On May 5, 2009, during a playoff game between the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and the Hershey Bears, Bissonnette was hit awkwardly by Greg Amadio and Steve Pinizzotto. He was deeply cut by the skate of one of the Hershey players on his left wrist and suffered nerve damage in his left hand.
On October 1, 2009, Bissonnette was claimed on waivers by the Phoenix Coyotes, after failing to make the Penguins out of training camp. On October 5, 2011, Bissonnette signed a two year contract extension with the Coyotes. On November 19, 2011, Bissonnette scored the game-winning goal, playing in front of his mother and grandparents for the first time as an NHL player. The Phoenix Coyotes added another goal and went on to win 4-2 over the Buffalo Sabres.
Bissonnette was selected in the fourth round, 121st overall, of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins. When drafted, Bissonnette was playing with the Saginaw Spirit of the junior Ontario Hockey League. During the 2003-04 season, Bissonnette served as the Spirit captain, and finished ninth in points. He played another half season with the Spirit before being traded to the Owen Sound Attack, where he finished the 2004-05 season.
He began his professional career in 2005 with the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL. Bissonnette finished the season with only 14 games in Wheeling. He then played 55 games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League. During the 2006-07 season, he played 65 games with Wheeling. He only appeared in 3 games with the AHL Penguins. After beginning the 2007-08 season in Wheeling, Bissonnette was recalled to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, where he earned a permanent roster position. Due to his size and physicality, Bissonnette earned a spot on the Pittsburgh Penguins roster for the beginning of the 2008-09 season. He was waived in November and spent the rest of the season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
On May 5, 2009, during a playoff game between the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and the Hershey Bears, Bissonnette was hit awkwardly by Greg Amadio and Steve Pinizzotto. He was deeply cut by the skate of one of the Hershey players on his left wrist and suffered nerve damage in his left hand.
On October 1, 2009, Bissonnette was claimed on waivers by the Phoenix Coyotes, after failing to make the Penguins out of training camp. On October 5, 2011, Bissonnette signed a two year contract extension with the Coyotes. On November 19, 2011, Bissonnette scored the game-winning goal, playing in front of his mother and grandparents for the first time as an NHL player. The Phoenix Coyotes added another goal and went on to win 4-2 over the Buffalo Sabres.
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