Laing Signing Touches NWHL Heartstrings

by

From May 1-31, NWHL teams can re-sign players from their 2016-17 roster and their draft picks during the restricted free agency period, and beginning on June 1 any unsigned players left will be free to sign with any team.

The third season of the NWHL will begin in October as the Buffalo Beauts defend their Isobel Cup championship, and with up to 12 players unable to participate in the league this season due to their selection for Team USA’s 2018 Olympic team, this will be the most competitive season yet.

My colleague Dan Rice will keep THW readers up-to-date on New York and Connecticut’s signings throughout the summer, while I post updates on Buffalo and Boston.

Dempsey & Parker Back With Pride

Beauts Re-Sign Goalie Neumann

Pride Look Dominant With Johnson & Weber

 

The Boston Pride have signed their first goaltender this off-season. The signing is one that touches the NWHL Community as a whole, and most specifically the Pride organization and their fans. Recent Harvard University graduate Brianna Laing is now a member of “The Pack”, and will follow in the footsteps of her older sister.

In Support Of Denna

An original member of the NWHL’s Pride, forward Denna Laing suffered a severe spinal cord injury during the first professional outdoor women’s hockey game. The injury left her with limited movement in her arms and no feeling in her legs.

Since that time, hockey players, coaches, fans and others from a variety of leagues, including the NHL, have rallied to show their support for the beloved player. But no show of support is bigger than having her sister defend the net for the very same hockey club.

Brianna Laing
Brianna Laing tending goal at Harvard. (Photo Credit: Michelle Jay)

The younger Laing said of the opportunity via an NWHL press release:

Hockey has been a big part of my life and my family’s life, so I’m proud to continue our legacy. Being able to play pro for the Pride – the team I always hoped to play for – is an amazing opportunity. It’s extra special because it’s also a way to honor Denna, whom I think about every day and is such an inspiration to me and so many other people. The first time I wear that Boston Pride jersey with ‘LAING’ on the back will be incredible.

Harvard Crimson

Laing’s four years with the Harvard Crimson saw her produce some spectacular numbers. In 35 games, she compiled a record of 22 wins, eight losses and one tie. More noteworthy is the fact that Laing assembled a .935 career save percentage, a 1.66 goals against average and a career win percentage of .726.

During Laing’s first two seasons with Harvard, the Crimson qualified for the NCAA Tournament. They lost in the first round to Wisconsin during her freshman campaign. However, in her sophomore year (2014-15) Laing helped backstop the team to the national championship. During that run, Laing and Harvard would eliminate Quinnipiac and Boston College in the quarterfinals and semifinals respectively. Unfortunately, the Crimson lost to the University of Minnesota in the championship game.

Brianna Laing Internationally

On the international stage, Laing helped backstop the United States to a silver medal at the 2012 IIHF World Women’s U18 Championship hosted in the Czech Republic. In the tournament, Laing earned a greater portion of ice time between the two US goaltenders. She posted distinct wins with a preliminary 7-0 victory over Sweden and a semifinal 7-1 win over Germany. She also split duties with Sidney Peters in a 13-1 win over the Czech Republic in the prelims.

The US fell short to Canada in the gold medal game. The Americans were shutout by their neighbors of the north, and Laing would stop 13 of 16 shots in the game. Aside from the outcome, Laing was on the ice with other current and former NWHL players at this tournament including Alex Carpenter, Cydney Roesler, Haley Skarupa, and Nicole Connery to name a few.

Bottom Line

While the signing of Laing is an emotional one, the bottom line is that the Boston Pride have themselves an elite goaltender. Family and friends will most assuredly be proud, especially when they see ‘LAING’ emblazoned across the back of a Pride jersey once more.

Meaningful as that moment will be, it is the goaltender underneath the jersey and behind the mask who has demonstrated an ability to be impenetrable. Another superb signing for the Pride.