Boston Pride forward Denna Laing suffered a significant spinal injury during the Outdoor Women's Classic event at Gillette Stadium on Dec. 31 in advance of the NHL's Winter Classic, it was announced Friday.
Laing's family confirmed that she has limited movement of her arms and no feeling in her legs, and doctors will continue to evaluate her status.
"Everyone at the National Hockey League, including the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens, joins Denna Laing's coaches, teammates, friends, and fans in wishing Denna the very best as she confronts the challenges ahead," commisioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. "While we are certain Denna will be served well by the tenaciousness that is her trademark, we also will work with the Laing family to rally the support of the hockey family during Denna's rehabilitation."
The NWHL is working with the Laings, business partners, and others to "respond compassionately and appropriately to her injury," according to commissioner Dani Rylan.
Teams will also wear a helmet sticker with her uniform number, 24.
The NWHL is the first professional women's hockey league in North America to pay its players. The inaugural season and playoffs will conclude in March when the first league champions raise the Isobel Cup.
