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Rinks will raise funds for Denna Laing
By Emily Sweeney
Globe Staff

FMC Ice Sports, the company that operates 24 ice skating rinks across the state, is holding a fund-raiser on Sunday, Feb. 14, to benefit Denna Laing, the Boston Pride player who suffered a serious spinal cord injury during a Dec. 31 ice hockey game at Gillette Stadium.

In an effort to raise $10,000 for the Denna Laing Fund, FMC declared Feb. 14 as “Denna Laing Day’’ and pledged to donate $1 from every public skating admission and match any additional donations made at its rinks that day.

“Denna is part of our ice sports community and an amazing example of how personal courage and positive outlook can overcome even the most tragic events’’ said FMC president Rob McBride, in a statement on the company’s website. “We all shared the heartache of Denna's injury on Dec. 31 and have been inspired beyond words since that day watching her battle back with tenacity and a spirit that knows no bounds. I’m certain the caring members of FMC's community will help us exceed our fund-raising goal to assist in Denna's recovery.’’

FMC chose to honor Laing on Valentine’s Day because 14 was the number she wore when she played on Princeton University’s women’s ice hockey team, according to the company’s website.

On Feb. 14, public skating sessions are scheduled to be held at all 24 FMC rinks, including Asiaf Arena Brockton from 1:30 to 3:20 p.m.; Burlington Ice Palace, 3:20 to 4:20 p.m.; Simoni Rink in Cambridge, 1 to 2:50 p.m.; Chelmsford Forum, :30 to 2:50 p.m.; Veterans Arena in Franklin, 2 to 3:50 p.m.; Connery Rink in Lynn, 1:50 to 3:40 p.m.; Navin Arena in Marlborough 3:30, to 5:20 p.m.; William Chase Arena in Natick, 2 to 3:20 p.m.; Armstrong Arena in Plymouth, 3 to 4:50 p.m.; Raynham Iceplex, 3:50 to 5:10 p.m.; Cronin Rink in Revere, 2:40 to 4:30 p.m.; and Jim Roche Community Arena West Roxbury, 2 to 3:50 p.m.

To find more public skating sessions at other FMC rinks, visit www.fmcicesports.com.

To donate directly to the Denna Laing Fund, visit www.dennalaing.org.

Emily Sweeney can be reached at esweeney@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @emilysweeney.