Ex-Coyotes forward Paul Bissonnette signs with Cardiff Devils

The Cardiff Devils of the Elite Ice Hockey League announced Friday that they have signed winger Paul Bissonnette.

The Cardiff Devils of the Elite Ice Hockey League (UK) announced Friday that they have signed winger Paul Bissonnette.

The team said in a news release that Bissonnette is with the team temporarily while he eyes a possible return to the NHL.

“Paul got in touch with us and explained that he had already had offers from two other teams in the Elite League, but that if he was going to come back to this league he thought he would talk to us,” explained the Devils Managing Director Todd Kelman.

“He said that he loved his time in Cardiff and was excited about coming in even on a short term basis.

“It is important for our fans to understand that if Paul gets the opportunity to go back to the NHL, we will not stand in his way and he is coming here with all of us knowing full well that he could be here for a week, a month or all season. He could get an offer in the next few days before he even arrives for all we know, but we are taking a risk here because we want him back for however long we can have him.”

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Bissonnette, who played in 11 games with the Devils during the NHL lockout in 2012, spent his past five seasons with the Phoenix Coyotes but the team did not re-sign him as an unrestricted free agent.

The Blues invited Bissonnette to their training camp on a tryout basis but he was released on Oct. 4. 

Over 39 games last season, the 29-year-old scored two goals and recorded eight assists.

Bissonnette (​@BizNasty2point0) has drawn attention for his humorous Twitter persona.

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- Chris Johnson