Denna Laing won’t sue NHL over Outdoor Women’s Classic injury

Boston Pride forward Denna Laing will not be suing over the injury she sustained at the Outdoor Women’s Classic on Dec. 31, according to a report. Laing, 24, was injured when she crashed headfirst into the boards. She has limited movement of her arms and no feeling in her legs.

The New York Post reported earlier this month that NWHL player Denna Laing would be suing over the injury she suffered at the Outdoor Women’s Classic. However, that does not appear to be the case, as the Post is now reporting Laing will not sue the NHL or any other party involved in the game.

The original report stated the NHL expected a lawsuit from Laing, but the Post’s Josh Kosman reported Tuesday that “a source with direct knowledge of the family’s thinking” has informed the newspaper that Laing and family will not be suing.

Laing, 24, suffered a severe spinal injury when she crashed headfirst into the boards during the Outdoor Women’s Classic at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., on Dec. 31. The injury has left Laing with limited movement of her arms and no feeling in her legs. She has begun her rehab.

The women’s outdoor game, between the NWHL’s Boston Pride and CWHL’s Les Canadiennes, was played on the same surface that the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens played the Winter Classic on. Alumni teams from both organizations also used the surface for a game on Dec. 31.

The NHL, CWHL, NWHL and teams throughout North America have shown tremendous support for Laing since her injury. This past weekend, Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs, the Bruins and Bruins Foundation announced they would donate at least $200,000 to the Denna Laing Fund. Bruins center Patrice Bergeron has also stepped up and set up a raffle for Laing that includes a meet and greet with the Bruins pivot and 12 tickets in his private suite for Boston’s Jan. 26 game against the Anaheim Ducks.

The Bruins and Canadiens will play for the first time since the Winter Classic Tuesday night in Montreal and will don the same jerseys they wore for the outdoor contest when they clash at the Bell Centre. The jerseys will then be auctioned off with all proceeds going to the Denna Laing Fund. The auction was set up by the NHL and NHLPA and can be found here. Bidding begins at 7:05 p.m. ET, less than half an hour before the teams begin play.