Mark Hardy is a former professional ice hockey player who played as a defenseman in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over 15 years. He was born on February 1, 1959, in Semadeni, Canada, and began his hockey career in the late 1970s.
Hardy was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the second round of the 1979 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut in the 1980-81 season and quickly established himself as a reliable defenseman. He played for the Kings for ten seasons, from 1980 to 1990, and was a key player on their blue line.
In 1990, Hardy was traded to the New York Rangers, where he played for four seasons. He was part of the Rangers team that won the Stanley Cup in 1994, the first championship in the team's 54-year history. Hardy played a crucial role in the Rangers' playoff run, providing solid defense and contributing offensively with two goals and six assists in 23 games.
After the 1993-94 season, Hardy retired from professional hockey. He finished his NHL career with 414 points (62 goals, 352 assists) in 915 regular-season games, and 43 points (7 goals, 36 assists) in 116 playoff games. He was known for his physical play, strong defensive skills, and ability to move the puck up the ice.
After retiring from playing, Hardy became a coach and worked for several NHL teams. He was an assistant coach for the Kings from 1997 to 2006, and again from 2013 to 2017. He also worked as an assistant coach for the Chicago Blackhawks and the Florida Panthers.
In 2018, Hardy was arrested and charged with sexually abusing a minor. He pleaded guilty to the charges in 2020 and was sentenced to five years in prison. The case has brought attention to the issue of sexual abuse in hockey and the need for better safeguards to protect young players.
Despite the controversy surrounding his personal life, Hardy's hockey career remains a notable one. He was a respected player and coach in the NHL, and his contributions to the sport will not be forgotten.
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