"I'm very excited to be back with the Coyotes organization," said Bissonnette. "The Coyotes picked me up off waivers in 2009 and provided me an opportunity to keep playing in the NHL. I played five seasons in the Valley and it's always felt like home to me. The organization has always been first class and the Phoenix media treated me very well as a player. I love the community and the people that I've gotten to know here. I'm very grateful to Mr. Barroway and Mr. Patterson for the opportunity and I look forward to beginning the next chapter in my life with the Coyotes. We have a great young team and a very bright future ahead. This is an ideal role for me and I can't wait for the season to start."
As part of his new broadcasting role, Bissonnette will be a regular guest on all Coyotes pre-and post-game shows on FOX Sports Arizona with Todd Walsh, Jody Jackson and Tyson Nash. As an ambassador for the club, Bissonnette will participate in numerous community appearances and fan development events including hospital and school visits, hockey clinics, golf tournaments, and corporate partner events. Bissonnette will also be a regular guest on the Bickley and Marotta show on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM every Wednesday throughout the Coyotes season.
In addition, Bissonnette will produce digital media content for the Coyotes website and social media platforms by hosting player videos throughout the season and will help promote the Coyotes on social media. Bissonnette currently has over one million Twitter followers (@BizNasty2point0) and over 170,000 followers on Instagram (Biznasty).
OBIZ-WAN KENOBI BOBBLE HEAD
On Saturday, November 25 versus the Vegas Golden Nights, the Coyotes will hold Star Wars Night at Gila River Arena. As part of the evening, the first 10,000 fans in attendance will receive a Paul Bissonnette Obiz-Wan Kenobi bobble head courtesy of Gila River Hotels & Casinos.
From 2009 to 2014, the 32-year-old Bissonnette played five seasons with the Coyotes, collecting 7-15-22 and 318 penalty minutes (PIM) in 187 games. He also played one season with the Pittsburgh Penguins (2008-09), registering one assist and 22 penalty minutes in 15 games.
Bissonnette, a native of Welland, Ontario, also played 270 games in the American Hockey League (AHL) with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Portland, Manchester and Ontario. He recorded 647 PIM over seven seasons. In 2015, he helped Manchester win the AHL's Calder Cup championship.
Bissonnette was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins (4th round, 121st overall) in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.
