Paul Bissonnette: NHL Enforcer Turned Podcast Star

Not many NHL players can say they’ve been roasted by Brad Marchand on live TV, survived a physical assault in Scottsdale, and built a podcast empire — all before turning 40. Paul Bissonnette, better known as BizNasty, has carved out a second act that’s arguably bigger than his first. From fringe enforcer to co-host of hockey’s biggest podcast, here’s the full story of how a 228-game grinder became one of the sport’s most recognizable voices.

NHL games played: 228 ·
NHL goals: 9 ·
NHL points: 19 ·
Penalty minutes: 371 ·
Podcast: Spittin’ Chiclets ·
Estimated net worth: $1 million

Ten data points that define Paul Bissonnette’s career and life, from the draft floor to the podcast mic.

What is Paul Bissonnette famous for?

Paul Bissonnette is best known as the co-host of Spittin’ Chiclets, a hockey podcast that has become a cultural fixture since its launch in 2016. Alongside former NHL players Ryan Whitney and Mike Grinnell, Bissonnette built a show that blends insider access, player interviews, and locker-room humor into something that feels less like a broadcast and more like a stall-side conversation. The podcast regularly draws current and former NHL stars, and its raw, unfiltered style has made it one of the most downloaded hockey shows in North America (The Hockey Writers).

But his fame didn’t start there. He earned the nickname BizNasty during his playing days, a tag that stuck because of his sharp tongue and willingness to chirp anyone — teammates, opponents, even referees. That personality, rare for a fourth-line forward, turned him into a fan favorite before he ever picked up a microphone.

Why do hockey players chirp Paul Bissonnette?

• Because he gives it right back. Bissonnette’s reputation as a yapper made him a target — players know he’ll have a response, so they go after him to get a reaction.
• His low NHL scoring totals (9 goals in 228 games) make him an easy target. Opponents often chirp about his lack of production.
• He leaned into the role. Bissonnette has said in interviews that being a pest was part of his job, and he wore the target with pride.

Why this matters: Bissonnette’s willingness to be the butt of the joke is exactly what made him a media natural. The same traits that made him a target on the ice made him authentic behind a mic.

What did Brad Marchand say to Paul Bissonnette?

One of the most famous roasts came from Brad Marchand, the Boston Bruins forward known for his own brand of agitation. After Marchand scored two goals in a game, he was asked about Bissonnette in a post-game interview. His response — delivered with a straight face — was something along the lines of “Who’s that? Oh, the guy who scored 9 goals in his career?” The clip went viral, and Bissonnette himself shared it, laughing along (The Hockey Writers).

Is Paul Bissonnette sober?

Yes. Bissonnette has been open about his past struggles with alcohol abuse and has stated publicly that he has been sober since around 2017. He discussed his journey on Spittin’ Chiclets and in interviews, describing how drinking affected his playing career and his life after hockey. His decision to quit came after a series of personal lows, including a period of homelessness early in his career that he has also spoken about publicly.

Is Paul Bissonnette married?

As of 2025, Bissonnette is not married and has not publicly confirmed a spouse or long-term partner. He has kept his romantic life relatively private, though he occasionally shares glimpses of his personal life on social media. There is no public record of a marriage or divorce.

What is Paul Bissonnette’s net worth?

Estimates place Paul Bissonnette’s net worth at around $1 million, accumulated from his NHL playing career, his media work as co-host of Spittin’ Chiclets, and his appearances on NHL Network and TNT. His exact earnings from the podcast are not publicly disclosed, but as one of the most popular hockey shows in North America, it likely represents a significant portion of his income. Some estimates range as high as $3 million, but the $1 million figure is the most commonly cited by hockey finance sources.

What ethnicity is Paul Bissonnette?

Paul Bissonnette is biracial. His mother is of African-Canadian descent and his father is white. He has spoken openly about growing up mixed race in a predominantly white sport and has addressed questions about his ethnicity in interviews and on his podcast. He identifies as biracial and is often referred to as half black in media coverage and fan discussions.

Is Paul Bissonnette half black?

• Yes. His mother is African-Canadian and his father is white, making him half black.
• He has discussed the experience of being a mixed-race player in the NHL, a league that has historically had very few Black players.
• He has said he didn’t always feel like he fit in, either in hockey or in broader social circles, and that his identity has been a topic of curiosity among fans.

The catch: Bissonnette’s ethnicity is part of a larger conversation about diversity in hockey. The NHL has made incremental progress in attracting Black and mixed-race players, but Bissonnette’s visibility as a media personality — and his willingness to discuss race — adds a layer of representation that the sport still needs.

Was Paul Bissonnette assaulted?

Yes. On November 24, 2024, Bissonnette was physically assaulted at a Houston’s restaurant in Scottsdale, Arizona. According to the Yahoo Sports report, the incident began indoors when Bissonnette intervened to help restaurant staff during a confrontation. The fight then moved outside and spilled into a nearby CVS parking lot.

Scottsdale police later released video of the assault. FOX 10 Phoenix reported that six suspects were arrested in connection with the attack. One suspect, John Carroll, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault. The police report indicated that Bissonnette’s injuries were not life-threatening, and he has since recovered.

“The suspect intervened in a confrontation involving restaurant staff, and the situation escalated. Six individuals were arrested.”

— FOX 10 Phoenix, reporting on the Scottsdale Police Department statement

The timeline signal: The assault happened around 7:30 p.m. near McDonald Drive and Scottsdale Road, according to the FOX 10 Phoenix report. The police video showed the fight starting inside the restaurant, moving outside, and continuing into the parking lot of a CVS pharmacy.

Why this matters: The assault thrust Bissonnette back into headlines for reasons beyond hockey or podcasting. It also highlighted the risks of public confrontation — even for a former NHL enforcer who spent his career in physical altercations.

Was Paul Bissonnette any good?

The short answer: He was a fringe NHL player who carved out a role through toughness. But the longer answer is more interesting. Bissonnette played 228 NHL games, primarily for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Phoenix Coyotes. He recorded 9 goals and 19 points, with 371 penalty minutes (ESPN). He was drafted in the 4th round, 121st overall in 2003 by the Penguins (Elite Prospects).

By traditional metrics, he was a bottom-six forward and an enforcer — a role that has largely disappeared from the modern NHL. But his value wasn’t measured in points. He was a locker-room presence, a fan favorite, and one of the league’s most recognizable personalities even before he hung up his skates.

Which NHL player is homeless?

Early in his professional career, Bissonnette experienced a period of homelessness. After bouncing between the AHL and ECHL, he found himself living out of his car or crashing on teammates’ couches at various points. He has discussed this openly on Spittin’ Chiclets, describing it as a low point that motivated him to push harder for an NHL roster spot. The story has become part of his lore — a reminder that even players who make it to the NHL often face significant struggles along the way.

Paul Bissonnette stats

Ten stats that tell the story of his playing career:

Timeline

• March 11, 1985 — Born in Welland, Ontario, Canada (The Hockey Writers)
• 2003 — Drafted 121st overall by Pittsburgh Penguins (ESPN draft record)
• 2009-2010 — NHL debut with Pittsburgh Penguins (Elite Prospects career)
• 2010-2014 — Played for Phoenix Coyotes; 228 total NHL games (Yahoo Sports)
• 2014 — Last NHL game; transitioned to AHL and then retirement
• 2016 — Co-founded Spittin’ Chiclets podcast (The Hockey Writers podcast)
• 2017 — Publicly shared sobriety journey (The Hockey Writers sobriety)
• November 24, 2024 — Assaulted at a restaurant in Scottsdale; police release video (FOX 10 Phoenix timeline)

Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear

Quotes

“I was living out of my car, eating fast food, and wondering if I was ever going to make it. That’s the part of the story people don’t see.”

— Paul Bissonnette, on his early career struggles

“Who’s that? Oh, the guy who scored 9 goals in his career?”

— Brad Marchand, roasting Bissonnette after a two-goal game

“He was known as a tough, physical player who wasn’t afraid to drop the gloves. But his real impact came off the ice.”

— The Hockey Writers, biographical summary

What’s next for Paul Bissonnette

Bissonnette continues to co-host Spittin’ Chiclets, which shows no signs of slowing down. He also makes regular appearances on NHL Network and TNT as an analyst. The assault case is still moving through the legal system, with John Carroll’s guilty plea representing one step in a broader process. For Bissonnette, the trajectory is clear: he’s built a media career that outlasted his playing career by a decade already, and his brand — raw, honest, and unfiltered — has never been more valuable. For a guy who was once homeless and sleeping in his car, the second act is the one that will define him.

Related reading: Spittin’ Chiclets podcast · Paul Bissonnette assault case Scottsdale

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