Chris Blight of the Dundee Stars checks back in with the story of how Paul Bissonnette first ended up in the EIHL back in 2012-13. It was announced earlier this week that Bissonnette has signed on to return to the Cardiff Devils.
By Chris Blight
The NHL lockout was in full swing during my first season in Cardiff with the Devils and rumours were flying everywhere about who teams were going to sign. Things were starting to get a little restless in Cardiff because other teams had already signed some NHL talent including Anthony Stewart (Nottingham), Matt Beleskey (Coventry), Drew Miller (Braehead) and Tom Sestito (Sheffield).
After practice one day our coach, Gerad Adams, asked me if I knew any NHL guys that would consider coming to Cardiff. I remember the drive home with my roommate at the time, Tyson Marsh, as we tried to think of someone who would come over and someone the team could afford. Insurance was the big issue so it had to be someone with a low end NHL salary where the insurance would be more reasonable. At the time we needed a defenseman, a forward, and a tough guy. This may sound like a lot but it’s not uncommon at the minor league level due to injuries and small squads.
I remember turning to Tyson and saying, “Do you know who would be perfect and would fit all of those roles? Biz!” We both started laughing. You see, that past summer we had worked a hockey camp with him in Lake Placid, New York. We both thought Biz coming to Cardiff would never happen.
However, I decided I would send Biz a message anyway just to see. I had not seen him in years but we kind of knew each other from playing against each other for our first three years pro. There was actually one time we played together in Wilkes-Barre (affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins) when I was called up for one game. He was such a great guy to me during my short time there and really made me feel welcome, something I will never forget.
I didn’t even have his phone number but of course we were Facebook friends; got to love technology, right? I sent him a Facebook message that somehow he saw through the endless chirps he gets on social media. He said he was interested so I put him in touch with our managers and they were able to get a deal done.
He arrived late the night before we were going on a very long road trip to Glasgow and slept the entire bus trip. I think we were all wondering how he would play considering it had been a while and he just travelled 7 hours on a bus. Well, it did not take long as he scored 72 seconds into his debut and ended his 11 game stint with us with 21 points.
With Cardiff signing him, I suppose the legend of Biz Nasty continues! It’s great for the EIHL and I wish him all the best … except for when they play us in Dundee!
Have you tried the Shnarped Hockey App? You can follow any player or team in the EIHL alongside every major North American league.
(Featured Photo Credit: Cardiff Devils)
