Country star Jennifer Nettles, who performed Sunday at the 2016 Honda NHL All-Star Game, spoke to Laing on FaceTime after she was informed the injured hockey player was one of her biggest fans.
"Just when you thought you couldn't be any more thankful to the @NHL you get a call from @JenniferNettles #ItHappens," Laing tweeted Sunday.
Laing's mother Jerilyn, and sisters Brianna and Lexie attended the All-Star Game at Bridgestone Arena. They visited Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban, Boston Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron and New Jersey Devils goalie Corey Schneider in the dressing rooms before the game. They also took a picture with country star Dierks Bentley.
They wanted to say hello to Nettles, but she was not down on ice level. When word got to Nettles she was Laing's favorite artist, she came down to meet with the family, who requested a picture. But Nettles said she could do better than that; she made the emotional call to Laing, offering her encouragement. Laing was overwhelmed.
In her message shown during the game, Laing said she has been inspired by the support she has received since suffering a spinal injury at the Women's Winter Classic on Dec. 31
"People writing letters that I'm their role model and I inspire them, but they truly are the ones that inspire me," Laing said.
On Saturday, the NHL announced on behalf of its member clubs,
it is donating $200,000 to assist Laing in her rehabilitation and recovery
.
