I received the following from Craig Renetzky, the attorney who is representing Mark Hardy…
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Press Release
MARK HARDY RESIGNS AS ASSISTANT COACH OF THE LOS ANGELES KINGS
Los Angeles, CA June 11, 2010: Mark Hardy has resigned as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Kings effective immediately and has voluntarily entered an alcohol treatment program. Mark and his family would like to thank those who have offered support during this difficult time. STATEMENT FROM MARK HARDY: “After 21 years with the Kings organization both as a player and a coach, the decision to leave the team at this time was one of the hardest of my career. My most important priorities are my family and my recovery, and I hope the Kings’ fans will understand my decision. We are grateful for the support and kindness that we have received through the years, especially now.”
recovery from what?
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Maximus Reply:
June 12th, 2010 at 7:21 pm
@brandyn, Really?
If you are serious, then this…
http://lakingsinsider.com/2010/05/21/hardy-charge-now-felony/
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brandyn Reply:
June 12th, 2010 at 7:26 pm
@Maximus,
yeah i know but its not an ilness, its an excuse, just like tiger woods did. someone man up
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trey a Reply:
June 12th, 2010 at 7:24 pm
@brandyn, alcohol, and other weird stuff
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Trey A Reply:
June 12th, 2010 at 7:26 pm
@brandyn, Alcohol
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brandyn Reply:
June 12th, 2010 at 7:40 pm
@Trey A,
so harpo’s an alcholic? this is something i havnt heard
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USCG Reply:
June 13th, 2010 at 2:57 am
@brandyn, I’m with you brandyn if you’re talking about this guy making excuses for being a creeper. It’s funny how just cuz the people on here are Kings fans they are wishing him “good luck”. This guy is a sick pervert and a freaking creep and you guys wish him good luck? I’m just a big a fan as any of you but when the verdict comes out guilty i’m not gonna support some weirdo…some of you need to get out of your kings shells and into the real world. Someone that acts this way doesn’t deserve a good life. And if he turns out innocent, then feel free to mock me, but I guarantee that if he was squeaky clean this wouldn’t have EVER been an issue.
Dominick Reply:
June 13th, 2010 at 11:29 am
@USCG,
I personally(can’t speak for others)don’t know one way or the other.It doesn’t take away from his contributions to this organization(one has nothing to do with the other).
I wish him luck,in the hope that this is a huge misunderstanding,and hope that his family isn’t torn appart by something like this(which is the most important thing).
I don’t think,if he’s found guilty,anyone wants it swept under the rug.I’m disappointed with this just like alot of other Kingsfans,and if he’s found guilty,will feel a certain loss,but feel he should be punished accordingly.
brandyn Reply:
June 13th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
@ghaad,
the court doesnt care how drunk he was the court doesnt care if he doesnt remember, its still his responsibility…
the comparisons to tiger woods was…. tiger went through rehab to try and make himself look like he had an illness and was going to “turn his life around” sex addiction has no been proven to be an illness.
Hardy is pulling the same thing… because some people will be sorry for him and think it wasnt 100 percent his fault. its an excuse, straight up dude, if you like the guy then thats great no ones stopping you from defending him and his views. personally if i knew someone desperate enough to sexual abuse there daughter i would not have any respect for them whatsoever though.
god luck harpo
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jpuckster Reply:
June 12th, 2010 at 7:22 pm
@jpuckster,
i meant good luck
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well this topic started off well!
Seriously though, all the best to harpo and his family. It’s unfortunate this had to happen and I hope everything turns out fine. His coaching will be badly missed and I wished he could still be here for our turnaround.
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All the best in this difficult time Harpo.
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It’s the Mel Gibson defense. He’s the victim because he an alcoholic.
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REALLY ? How convenient for anyone does something stupid to “just go to rehab”. Rehab used to be somewhere you go to get help. now it used to stay out of severe trouble and a crutch when you screw up and don’t want to take responsibility for your action.
Harpo you had a good run and your family should be your top priority but rehab ? really
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Verno Reply:
June 13th, 2010 at 2:07 pm
@BS DECTOR,
Yea, the first thing he should do is ignore a court order to attend rehab.
People should actually read some of the facts of the story before spewing garbage.
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I don’t see him crying victim. Just a man seeking help in hopes of salvaging his life.
Good luck
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This whole thing has been kind of surreal from the get go. Sorry to see him go.
Of the two coaches, I always felt that Kompon was a better candidate to be replaced.
One more thing for Dean to work on…
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Regardless of the truth, the only people entitled to it are Mark Hardy and his family. This incident is so far above and beyond hockey and we as fans of the organization need to remain silent in our thoughts, doubts, and prayers. Excuses or reality, this is not for us to judge – for GOD has not granted us the power to do so. If guilty, Harpo owes nothing to a Kings fan, only to his family and those directly involved. Our role in this situation is a non-factor, effective, immediately.
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luc20rules Reply:
June 13th, 2010 at 2:17 am
@Live your own life, Well put, none of us have any insight into the truth in this matter. I hope all involved in this matter get the help they need to live a normal life as possible. If there is guilt to be assigned it is for the courts to decide. Wishing the best for the Hardy Family.
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mcsorelyfan Reply:
June 14th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
@luc20rules, well put. What the guy’s accused of is shady, but in this country I thought we were supposed to be “innocent until proven guilty”. That being said, I won’t share a bed with my own brother, or anyone but my wife, for that matter, drunk or not. We’ve been married too long, and no one is completely responsible when they’re unconscious. That creepy scene from “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles” always goes thru my head…
To those who insist Harpo’s using rehab to escape the issue, consider for a second maybe that IS the issue? The omniscient judgementalism is a bit annoying…
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Off topic: Only 110 more shopping days until October. What in the heck am I going to do with my time? Life without hockey is somewhat of a drag! Just kiddin’, Rich will keep me occupied.
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@ old codger
Hockey is my drug, and rich is my dealer!
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OFF TOPIC!!! Is anyone here joining the NORTH HOLLYWOOD YMCA inline hockey league? Let me know and i’m down to meet up for a few practice squad meets! I have my own team under the name Sigma Chi. P.S. I don’t want to hear the typical , “why don’t you play real hockey on the ice”… i’m sorry i don’t have an extra 600 bucks a season to spend registering for an ice hockey league.
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bob Reply:
June 13th, 2010 at 8:58 am
@USCG, Isn’t this like the equivalent of playing on a tennis court?
Dude, when it comes to inline hockey, it’s sport-court or nothing.
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USCG Reply:
June 13th, 2010 at 9:40 pm
@bob, I’ve played inline at about 4 or 5 different rinks around the L.A. area, and all of the courts are the same, yeah, kinda like tennis court cement but even smoother and faster, the only place I know of around me that has sport court is thousand oaks, and that league isn’t well organized at all.
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I was really hoping this was just a big misunderstanding. But his resignation is equal to a guilty, or no contest plea, in my book. ZERO tolerance for sexual violence. Good riddance.
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Dominick Reply:
June 13th, 2010 at 11:46 am
@BMSTANG,
The resignation would have happened regardless.It would have been a distraction for the team,and Harpo personally.The move signafies nothing,except that he is stepping aside to take care of this matter.
Innocent or guilt has nothing to do with it.
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puck73 Reply:
June 14th, 2010 at 10:07 am
@Dominick, Well said. Many years ago I was blamed for something that I did not do and yet so many people thought I was guilty and I had to be interviewed by detectives and let me tell you it was humiliating and embarrassing. Now I am not saying he is guilty or innocent, what I am saying is that people should not be commenting on stuff like this because I can tell you one thing from 46 years of life experience..Just when I Think I knew exactly what happened, I was proven Wrong yet again !
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BMSTANG Reply:
June 14th, 2010 at 9:07 pm
@puck73,
You guys are kidding, right? The charges, his resignation, his entering treatment, and you have any doubt? This thick headedness is why alot of daughters would have never said a word.
It was the only thing Harpo could do. He couldn’t come back to the Kings with all of this hanging over.
Good luck Harpo in dealing with the many issues you have going.
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@Pumpernicholl, Not for him to ask.
Just a innocent bystander wanting to know.
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Best wishes to Mark Hardy and his family. May the days ahead be a learning and growing time for all involved. Take care.
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I’m not a religious person but the comments by some posters bring to mind the quote from the bible, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. …” It is nice to know that there are so many people so pure as to be able to throw their “stones”, especially since they were not there and do not know the truth about what happened.
I truly hope that Harpo will successfully deal with whatever problems he has.
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puck73 Reply:
June 14th, 2010 at 10:20 am
@just my opinion, My thoughts exactly and I would like to add this if I may..The problem with a lotta blogs out there is that their are no consequences for what some people write, therefore people feel bold enough to make outlandish statements with out any fear. I have also seen this play out at Charger games when Charger fan drinks excessively before the Raider game so he feels brave enough to yell insults that normally he wouldnt say if he didnt have so much booze flowing thru him.
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Ok let this story fold…
Now to other news…
Canadian Junior tryouts team names was just announced and the first 4 picks of Kings were all invited from the 2009 draft!!! check it out!
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=531585
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VanKingsFan Reply:
June 14th, 2010 at 10:55 am
@sammuch, pretty sweeeeet man. You don’t hear too much about Linden Vey do ya… wonder if he has potential to make it.
Schenn will be captain of the team if he isn’t playing for the Kings.
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Hardy stepping down is not a guilty verdict. Hardy going to AA is not a guilty verdict. Was he too drunk to know it was not his wife in the bed? Let the facts be told prior to making a judgement. Let everyone who believed he was part of the King’s family wish him and his family the best while working through this, whether that is through notes here, private wishes or through prayer.
I would love to see OD interviewed for the spot, but at the same time he would be a perfect 7th. He also understands phase C better than anyone since Larry Robinson.
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puck73 Reply:
June 14th, 2010 at 10:43 am
@jet, Concur, many times in my life I have drank and been buzzed or drunk to some degree but I have never been so blasted that I did not know where I was or what I was doing. However I had a friend many years ago that would drink like that and get to that point so I have seen it up close and that sort of intoxication unfortunately does exist. Lets be honest though, if you are in your 40′s and still doing this then it is no longer a phase you are going thru and you are in serious need of physciatric help and thank god Mark Hardy is getting that now. It is too bad that something like this had ta happen before he sought help !
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ya i’ve heard people use the old “had to much to drink” excuse on plenty of things… but feeling up your daughter? Thats just wrong.
Good riddance to bad rubbish.
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USCG Reply:
June 13th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
@mike, glad to see some people here can think strait. Again, too many people on here are “hoping for the best” but um…no, he doesn’t deserve the best. Thats a pretty BIG freaking accident if it was one. The fact that some people are trying to defend him by saying “oh maybe he thought it was his wife” is ridiculous. Seriously…who in their right minds here can say that as hammered as they got they would ever make that kind of a mistake for your own freaking daughter. As a “drunken frat boy”, i’ve had my share of drunk and belligerent nights, and although sometimes I don’t know who’s bed I have woken up in, I know it’s never been my sisters.
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USCG Reply:
June 13th, 2010 at 9:44 pm
@USCG, …to correct my last line I just meant a family members. I.E. sister, daughter, whatever.
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mike Reply:
June 14th, 2010 at 8:54 am
@USCG, exactly my thoughts…
i could care less about what he has to go through as far as rehab or whatever, what about his family?? i feel for his family and i hope THEY get the help they need to move forward in life… but “Harpo” can just $*#@ off.
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I have zero tolerance for abuse. However, we should know that the media never gives the whole story on any issue.
In the end, what we know is that there is a family in crisis; Hope help can come and bring peace and a better life to everyone involved.
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I have to say, I am not proud of him right now but I hope he gets helps and rights his course. He is a drunk and he has issues. I hope He gets straight and figures things out. Quickly.
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A sad day indeed. I hope he gets the help he needs and the family can recover from this horrible experience.
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HOCKEY!
Just trying to bring it back around to what is really important here.
I think a big target for Deano this offseason should be Andrew Ladd. Guy is a beast and can score. He is like Freddy Modin with his youth still. He would fit GREAT on that third line with Zeus and Simmonds.
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For scoring: Kovalchuck or Marleau
For defense: Volchenkov or Tallinder
For toughness: Cooke or Sutton
For depth: Madden or Konopka
Dean I sure hope your reading this because if we can manage to attain just 1 or 2 of these guys, we might just go deep into the playoffs. We definetely need either Kovalchuck or Marleau on the team so get one of them, for sure.
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The whole damn thing is fishy and you all know it. Why put your self in that situation in the first place?? Doesnt matter what the out come is, he did the right thing in leaving. he will never live this down and will have it luming over his head. Its no good for the team, atleast he did the right thing in leaving
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It is this type of thing that makes you pause and wonder why marijuana is illegal. No one, ever, would do something like that (not to mention crash their cars intoxicated, etc etc.) after smoking a joint. And yet alcohol is legal and beloved by everyone… does this make sense to anyone else???
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pr0cess Reply:
June 14th, 2010 at 10:23 am
@VanKingsFan, you must be a smoker lol, and you back the hell away from my Vodka!!!
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VanKingsFan Reply:
June 14th, 2010 at 10:32 am
@pr0cess, I live in BC… what do you think lol
Don’t get me wrong, nothing against alcohol…
Come on England!!!!! I don’t want to hear ANYONE mention Clint Dempsey and his lucky goal
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
June 14th, 2010 at 3:51 pm
@VanKingsFan:
Everyone knows that England never has a good goalie…
Alcohol is NOT universally beloved, no matter what the overbearing commercials want you to believe…
The Ganga has this annoying little habit of turning the user into a piece of furniture…
@pr0cess:
It’s all yours!
@Waves:
Second the motion…
But someday, when weed is legal, the research is going to expose health disadvantages, most likely associated with depression of the immune system, probably only seen with 20+ years exposure…
Cancer? There are over 200 active metabolites in THC, all fat-soluble, and thus likely to hang around for 6 months+ after one stops partaking… Only time and lots of research will tell.
wavesinair Reply:
June 14th, 2010 at 10:39 am
@VanKingsFan, Marijuana is illegal? Huh. Not really here in California. But yeah, alcohol is the cause of so many problems. Weed? Not so much.
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Rich,
Time to move on and away from this topic. This is not the side of this great organization that we want to perpetuate.
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All you people hammering Mark Hardy should recognize that he has had no opportunity to present his case. Justice affords a man the presumption of innocence, having the opportunity to confront his accusers in open court, until and unless being found guilty by a jury of his peers.
The news is indeed sad, and even sickening, but I hope people will keep that in mind.
All that said, the appropriate human response to such tragedy is one of compassion, and regardless of the outcome, I hope Mark successfully handles any and all issues that seriously confront him, including taking responsibility for any and all of his actions and the motivations which prompted them.
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pr0cess Reply:
June 14th, 2010 at 3:20 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, And perseption is everything, that is my only point on this. No matter the facts or the outcome. No one will every see him the same. This is a distraction to the team and would do no one any good. He did the right thing for the team. He left.
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It’s Mark’s business and no one else, besides, who are we to judge anyone. I wish you well Mark, thanks for all you did in your professional life with the Kings organization.
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pr0cess Reply:
June 14th, 2010 at 2:13 pm
@Goring 19, Well you see it became are bis when he was arested and the details where made public. And people judge all the time, so but that is how live is. Like i said he did the right thing leaving, cause that is all he would be is a man with a past, and its all anyone would see.
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WOW! I didnt hear this or expect this coming. However, from reading the blogs/posts from most of you have left me in disbelief. Anyways, Resigning, is not an act of guilt. No matter what, guilty or innocent, resigning really was the best thing for him, because he is now tarnished. He will never be looked at the same again. We, as a society, have become a judging society. We dont get to know the situation or the person, for who they are. We tend to be judge, jury, and executioner, sometimes with-out even thinking about it.
Alchol is an evil thing, espically if you drink way too much, or use it as an anti-depressent….etc. You know, commercials say it best, and it fits in this situation quite well! “Drink Responsibly”
I personally wish you best, in your future endevours Mark. Stay strong, and get well.
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