Ten Years Later, Bissonnette Still Grinding It Out

Paul Bissonnette dropped the gloves with Lehigh Valley's Oliver Lauridsen Sunday afternoon.     Photo credit: Nina Weiss - Hockey Mom Photography

Say what you will about Paul Bissonnette - a physical, checking/grinding type who has been nothing more than that in his 10 years at the professional hockey level. He knows his role well.

When he made his pro debut in the ECHL with the Wheeling Nailers in 2005, it was as a defenseman. It wasn't until he arrived to the AHL with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins later that season that Bissonnette made the switch to forward - a move that seems to have paid off now that he had seen the better part of the previous five years in the NHL with the Arizona Coyotes organization prior to the 2014-15 season.

"Me and Glenn [Patrick] go back and he really gave me an opportunity and helped me with my career and I love him," Bissonnette said of his former coach with the Wheeling Nailers.

The game of hockey has certainly changed in the last yen years, but according to Bissonnette the role he plays is still a very useful one in today's game.

"I don't think I can really change my role as far as becoming more skilled," Bissonnette said, adding,"At the next level I know that fighting is down, but if you can play and chip in eight minutes a night at NHL-speed at an NHL-level that you'll always be able to find a job."

Bissonnette is back in the AHL this season, having been on a professional tryout with both Portland and then Manchester before signing a standard player contract with the Manchester Monarchs - affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings - back in the beginning of February.

"They don't necessarily need four lines of just skill guys and guys just cruising around," Bissonnette said. "They need energy. They need grit. They need toughness. They need guys who are going to back guys up."

After the jump, my chat with Bissonnette on a varying range of topics, including his Gordie Howe hat trick performance Sunday against the Phantoms, the back story about wearing a heavyweight title belt in warmups of an ECHL game, his views on fighting in hockey and how the role he plays is slowly being taken out of the game and his future plans both with Manchester this spring and after the season is over.


Bissonnette on the 4th line's big game Sunday vs. Lehigh Valley; team depth:

Obviously we know in the room the amount the first couple lines - the skill guys and power play - carry us all year it's nice to kind of help out with one once in awhile. I know we are not expected to do things offensively and play more defensive minded on the right side of the puck. It was just one of those nights where we clicked and it was our night.

On his Gordie Howe hat trick:

Especially as a fourth liner and a fighter, you know it's a pretty frustrating role a lot of the time when you're not scoring and doing things that count on the score sheet. The times you do it, it kind of makes you love the game again, ya know? So its good.

On the story of wearing a heavyweight title belt during the warmups of a Wheeling/Reading ECHL game:

I had a bit of a rivalry fighting with this one guy and he was a pretty mouthy guy and had been running around a little bit, so I grabbed and beat him up a few times. The third time I beat him up, we played them in a back to back and I beat them up in their building and then we were back home. I came out in warmups and there was a heavyweight belt waiting on the bench and I grabbed it and stretched at center ice with it. 

I ended up getting suspended for one game and fined $100 by the ECHL. They sent the video in and our coach was.. our coach liked my personality. Me and Glenn [Patrick] go back and he really gave me an opportunity and helped me with my career and I love him.

What he's looking to do with Manchester:

I don't think I can really change my role as far as becoming more skilled. I think developing my game where you become more reliable in situations along the wall and making those little plays. At the next level I know that fighting is down, but if you can play and chip in eight minutes a night at NHL-speed at an NHL-level that you'll always be able to find a job. They don't necessarily need four lines of just skill guys and guys just cruising around, they need energy. They need grit. They need toughness, they need guys who are going to back guys up.

On teams changing their philosophy and removing their tough guys:

As much as certain organizations are going to go a certain route with changing the way the game is played, I find that when it comes down to it - when you're playing on teams look at St. Louis. They all play for each other. You got David Backes jumping guys if Oshie gets hit. They love each other and they're f***ing battling every night for each other.

I know this year, at the start of the year, Toronto was doing well and they talked about how they got rid of Rosehill, Orr, and McLaren and they talked about why the Leafs were are going to have so much success this year and how the fourth line isn't weighing them down, but f**k they ended up having the worst year in recent memory.

Maybe those other guys feel more comfortable when they're not getting chirped every night because those guys are f***ing nervous and on edge about what Colton Orr or McLaren might do. As much as you guys in the media like to talk about how he doesn't belong in the game or this and that there is a big, big factor when it comes to intimidation.

You look at [Lehigh Valley], they hang around a lot of games and they don't necessarily have the most skill, but they come to play every night and they battle and they got a couple guys who are going to chuck 'em.

This year in the AHL with the Manchester Monarchs (Los Angeles Kings):

We have a great bunch of guys. At the end of the day, there are certain guys who are different points in their career and I know I'm definitely passed half way at least. Looking at young guys, it's a good experience for them and a good way to showcase themselves because a lot of those guys are just finishing their entry-level deals, clearing waivers and other teams can see that.

Even for me, if scouts are around and I have a good run, maybe league minimum and jump on with a squad next year. Im just trying to develop my game, stay positive and work hard. If I get my chance, i get my chance. If not, I just keep playing.