BISSONNETTE ASSIGNED TO WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON

The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-assigned forward Paul Bissonnette to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League (AHL), it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Ray Shero.

Bissonnette, 23, played six games for the Pittsburgh Penguins this season registering 10 penalty minutes while posting a plus or even rating in five of six appearances.  He made his NHL debut October 4 against Ottawa at the NHL Premiere in Stockholm, Sweden.

The 6-2, 211-pound forward split the 2007-08 season between the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins and the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL.  Bissonnette tallied eight points (three goals, five assists) along with 146 penalty minutes in 46 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.  He also recorded 11 penalty minutes in seven playoff contests with the Penguins.  Bissonnette collected 17 points (three goals, 14 assists) and 43 penalty minutes with Wheeling before being re-called to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

The Welland, Ontario native has registered 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) along with 211 penalty minutes in 104 career games in the AHL.  He has posted 69 points (16 goals, 53 assists) and 162 penalty minutes in 101 career games in the ECHL.

Bissonnette was drafted by the Penguins in the fourth round (121st overall) in the 2003 NHL Draft.