Before attending UBC she completed a degree in journalism at Northeastern University in Boston, where she played varsity women’s hockey. When she came to UBC in the 1990s there was no women’s varsity hockey team, and so she founded one and coached for its first two seasons before joining the team on the ice to improve its competitive edge. Thanks to people like Bennion, women’s varsity hockey in Canada is now thriving. She has served as team physician with Hockey Canada’s women’s program, and is currently the team doctor for Calgary-based Team Alberta in the CWHL. Laura still plays senior women’s hockey regularly.