Kings' AHL affiliate signs Bissonnette to reported 1-year contract
BizNasty is going to California.
The AHL's Ontario Reign signed former NHL enforcer Paul Bissonnette to a one-year contract Wednesday.
He confirmed the deal in a conversation with Pro Hockey Talk's Dhiren Mahiban.
“I’m happy about it. It’s good to be returning back to some familiar faces,” Bissonnette said. “I’m very happy and excited to be headed to California.”
The 30-year-old tweeted the following later on Wednesday:
When ur a 4th line AHL plug u sign ur contracts @Fedex & mail them back. Happy 2 be staying with the Kings franchise. pic.twitter.com/dJ6Gpz6fKt
— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) July 8, 2015
He played eight games for the AHL's Portland Pirates last season before being released.
He signed with the Manchester Monarchs one day later, registering seven points and 167 penalty minutes in 48 regular-season contests. He also suited up for 11 playoff games as the Monarchs claimed their first Calder Cup championship.
“It was pretty special, especially after a tough start to the year,” he said. “It was a good way to finish out and kind of look at it in a positive light.”
The Reign replaced the Monarchs as the Kings' AHL affiliate in a major divisional realignment that the league announced in May.
Bissonnette last played in the NHL for the Phoenix Coyotes in 2013-14, notching eight points and racking up 53 penalty minutes in 39 games.