LA Kings assistant coach Mark Hardy arrested in DC on sexual abuse charge

WASHINGTON - Los Angeles Kings assistant coach Mark Hardy was charged Friday with sexual abuse after a woman said he fondled her in a hotel room, according to charging documents.

District of Columbia police arrested Hardy early Friday, shortly after the incident was reported.

According to court documents, Hardy and the woman walked from a bar in northwest Washington to the Mayflower Hotel, where Hardy had been staying since Wednesday. The documents said the woman told police that she and Hardy were very intoxicated.

The documents state that the woman fell asleep in a bed in the hotel room and awoke when she was being fondled. The woman ran from the bedroom to the living room area of the suite, then went to the front desk for help. That's when police were called.

The Associated Press does not identify alleged victims of sexual abuse.

Hardy, 51, made an initial court appearance Friday afternoon in D.C. Superior Court.

He declined to comment as he left the court, according to WJLA-TV. A message was left for the public defender assigned to Hardy.

Hardy was ordered to be evaluated for alcohol treatment, according to court documents.

The Kings said in a statement that they were aware of the charge and had no further comment.

Hardy played in the NHL for 15 years. He began his second stint as an assistant coach for the Kings in 2008.