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GO_NUCKS_24 · 06-12-2006, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Mark Hardy joined the Chicago Blackhawks as an assistant coach Monday, ending a seven-year tenure as an assistant with the Los Angeles Kings.

Hardy, a former NHL defenceman, helped lead Los Angeles to one of the league's best penalty killing units last season. The Kings ranked third in the NHL with an 86.6-per-cent success rate, second-best in franchise history.

''Mark is a quality individual and a proven coach,'' Blackhawks general manager Dale Tallon said in a statement. ''We are fortunate to get someone with Mark's experience and we feel he will add another dimension to our coaching staff.''

Hardy, who joined the Kings as an assistant in 1999, said he looks forward to a new challenge.

''I'm very excited to be here,'' said Hardy. ''This is a good young team with a great mix of young talent. I'm looking forward to ... getting off to a great start next season.''

Hardy spent 15 seasons as a player in the NHL with the Kings, New York Rangers and Minnesota North Stars.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=168590&hubname=nhl
good move!

nhldave · 06-14-2006, 12:37 AM

Imagine that, quality defense in Chicago? Good luck to him, he has quite a challenge ahead. What were Chicago this past season, fourth worst on defense?

cruiser · 06-17-2006, 02:51 PM

Just spent some time back in Chi town talking with my hockey buddies and they're all well pissed about the state of affairs. Don't know how accurate this is but someone mentioned that Dale Tallon is married to Pully's daughter and Pully's married to Wirtz's sister. I guess she couldn't get a date even with all that money.

I wonder who Hardy's married to?

Anyway, good luck to him. He's employed by the worst franchise in pro sports.

sentinel20 · 06-19-2006, 12:20 AM

Just wanted to respond to Cruisers comments. You say you have friends in Chicago, was just wondering what the general feeling is in that city. Have the Hawks almost been forgotten about and is there any hope in the Windy City that it will get turned around anytime soon. Intersting to hear your comments. It is sad to see a once might franchise flounder so much.

cruiser · 06-19-2006, 11:56 AM

Most folks in Chicago are sickened by the situation and feel the team should be sold to someone who will give the Hawks a chance to compete. I think season ticketholders are down to about 6000 now and the AHL Wolves are the team of choice for most knowledgable fans. The $100 plus for tickets to a Hawk game is ridiculous for what is essentially a mnor league team. There's talk about a second AHL team coming in and that should erode whatever fan support there is still left for the Hawks.

A once proud franchise left in shambles due to the greed of the owner. Wirtz also owns the building, the concessions and the parking. Now with revenue sharing there is no incentive to put a winner on the ice.

The league needs to step in and force a sale if they can. Chicago's a great hockey town. In the 60's, 70's and 80's it was tough to find a ticket. Now nobody cares about the Hawks.

It's similar to the Harold Ballard situation in Toronto. Until Billy goes the Hawks are doomed.

nhldave · 06-20-2006, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruiser

It's similar to the Harold Ballard situation in Toronto. Until Billy goes the Hawks are doomed.

Good grief he doesn't have some deadbeat sons to hand on to does he?

cruiser · 06-20-2006, 03:22 PM

Yup, Peter Wirtz is heir to throne. At one time I thought maybe Peter had the balls to stand up to the old man but that was a while back and things haven't changed; except for the worse.

Arthur was the real hockey fan and ensured the Hawks were competitive in the 60's-70's after getting Bruce Norris out of the way. Billy had some great teams in the mid 80's but they could never get by Gretzky and pals to get to the finals. They brought in Keenan at one point in the early 90's but Keenan's an idiot so that didn't last long. I remember him coaching against his 'idol' Scotty Bowman in the finals vs the Pens. Hawks were at home and Scotty put out Mario, Jagr and Francis for a crucial faceoff in the Hawks end in the third period. Genius Mike countered with Stu Grimson and a couple of other fourth liners. Five seconds after they dropped the puck it was in the net and that was pretty much it for the Hawks.

We should all pray for the Hawks. They're living in hockey hell there in Chicago.

goon101 · 06-24-2006, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruiser

Most folks in Chicago are sickened by the situation and feel the team should be sold to someone who will give the Hawks a chance to compete. I think season ticketholders are down to about 6000 now and the AHL Wolves are the team of choice for most knowledgable fans. The $100 plus for tickets to a Hawk game is ridiculous for what is essentially a mnor league team. There's talk about a second AHL team coming in and that should erode whatever fan support there is still left for the Hawks.

A once proud franchise left in shambles due to the greed of the owner. Wirtz also owns the building, the concessions and the parking. Now with revenue sharing there is no incentive to put a winner on the ice.

The league needs to step in and force a sale if they can. Chicago's a great hockey town. In the 60's, 70's and 80's it was tough to find a ticket. Now nobody cares about the Hawks.

It's similar to the Harold Ballard situation in Toronto. Until Billy goes the Hawks are doomed.

You said it. We are sickened!! I didn't watch 1 Chicago game. What a minute I watched a minute of a game and immediatly changed the channel! The sad thing is Wirtz will never sell the team.

One good rumor I heard is when Wirtz dies, if that ever happens