Hawks get Hardy on defense

The Blackhawks wasted little time selecting a new assistant coach, hiring Mark Hardy to handle the defense and penalty-killing units. Hardy, 47, was an assistant for the Los Angeles Kings from the 1998-99 season until he was fired along with head coach Andy Murray late last season. Hardy was in charge of the Kings’ penalty killing, which finished third in 2001-02 at 86.6 percent, the second-best in team history. “I’m very excited to be here,” said Hardy. “This is a good young team with a great mix of young talent.” During a 15-year NHL career Hardy played 915 games with the Kings, New York Rangers and Minnesota North Stars. He also played junior hockey with former Hawk great and current assistant coach Denis Savard.