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(Photo: The Denna Laing Team Facebook)

As the NHL All-Star weekend’s festivities commence, the league has announced support efforts for professional women’s player Denna Laing, who was severely injured in the inaugural Women’s Outdoor Classic.

According to a press release, the 2016 Honda All-Star event, the hockey community, and the NHL’s member clubs are behind the league’s $200,000 donation to support Laing’s rehabilitation.

Laing suffered a significant spinal injury during the Women’s Outdoor Classic when her NWHL team, the Boston Pride, played the CWHL Montreal Canadiennes. Near the end of the second period, she went down near the end boards and was stretchered off the ice. Shortly thereafter, her family announced she had no feeling in her legs and had limited movement in her hands.

Since then, Laing has progressed from intensive care to rehabilitation.

Today, on her Facebook page The Denna Laing Team, she announced:

I’m a firm believer that accessories can make or break an outfit, whether it be a fun accent necklace or a pop of color in your heels. On the other hand, hospital accessories are ones I could live without. So I’m excited to say that in addition to not having to wear my fashionable hospital gown anymore, I’ve lost most of my new accessories this week including my neck brace and my tracheostomy tube. Now that I’ve lost my extra hardware, I’m capable of turning my head to see the clock hanging on the wall. I am also able to move around in my wheelchair without a hospital chaperone, and can move floor to floor without having any monitors attached to my fingers. 18 days stronger.

 

In addition to the $200,000, NHL partners Honda and Ticketmaster are teaming to donate a 2016 Honda Odyssey retrofitted to meet Laing’s transportation needs. Hopefully she’ll be able to use that vehicle soon.

To follow and support Laing’s recovery, visit DennaLaing.org.

Carly grew up needing to know more about icing than its deliciousness on cupcakes. She's the lone daughter of four children, with a father who was among the last cut from the Midwest tryouts for the 1980 Miracle on Ice Olympic team. And she knows very little matches the thrill that happens from puck-drop to handshakes. A rink didn’t return to her hometown until she was gone, but she’s been able to see two younger brothers on the ice. She's their feistiest fan. Her other hockey loyalty lies with the Blackhawks--whether it's meant seeing games for $8 with student IDs when the Madhouse didn’t have much of a temper at all, or dancing to Chelsea Dagger at standing room only--there’s something magical about a roaring anthem, the Indianhead sweater, and the Original Six. A former journalist and current editor, she carries a penchant for excitement (and maybe even fighting) with a resume that includes working for Chicago-area newspapers, and television, including The Jerry Springer Show, as well as NBCUniversal in New York. After East Coast living and a return to the Chicago area, the new Mrs. is giving Graceland a go with her Southern Gent, who now shares her adoration of the game, and their rescue dog, Doc Holliday. Other interests include Cubs, Bears, Illini, Crimson Tide, Pumpkin Spice Lattes, baking a mean pineapple upside-down cake, Kate Spade accessories, and a properly coordinated cardigan for every ensemble.

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