The most well known Coyotes player scored just 22 points in 202 career games.
It’s not Keith Tkachuk or Shane Doan. It’s not even Jeremy Roenick, at least not anymore.
It’s Paul Bissonnette, the former enforce who skated an average of 5:18 per night and had 52 career fights in the NHL.
While he was a fan favorite in Glendale during his playing days, it’s been since retirement that his profile has really taken off among hockey fans thanks to his wildly successful podcast with Ryan Whitney.
Spittin’ Chiclets, along with various other media outlets, have propelled the former enforcer into the spotlight and an unexpected level of celebrity for a former NHL journeyman. This has affected his game worn jerseys, as well, which have both increased in value and become scarce as fans of his post career snap up memorabilia from his actual time in the league.
This particular gamer was worn by Bissonnette throughout his first season with the Coyotes, which was also his rookie season in the league. He played just 15 games the year prior for Pittsburgh.
Biz only averaged 5:52 of ice time in 2009-2010, so this jersey is pretty clean with the exception of one very notable exception.
The neck of the sweater is ripped and has been sewn back to the collar in one spot to hold it in place in the middle. The sleeves are mostly clean with the exception of some light pilling and a minor burn or two.
The nameplate, back numbers, and sleeve numbers all feature varying degrees of large loose threads which was incredibly common on Coyotes gamers from this era. In part, the excessive amount of loose threading seems to be due to the Coyotes using single-layer twill for all of their lettering and numbering.
The ripped neck from Bissonnette’s gamer.
Paul Bissonnette was involved in 6 different fights in this sweater.
According to HockeyFights.com, Biz fought Johnny Boychuk (10/17/09), George Parros (10/31/09), Krys Barch (11/14/09), and Matt Greene (12/26/09). He then fought Krys Barch two separate times (1st period, 3rd period) on 1/13/10.
Biznasty’s impact on the ice might have been felt through smashing faces, but his popularity off the ice in retirement has been a huge boon to the Arizona Coyotes organization and the growth of the sport here in the desert.
Tracking down one of his gamers that had a few documented fights has been a collecting goal of mine.
I can match this one to 3 of the 6 he had while wearing it. Not a big deal.