Meet the Team

Matthew and Casey’s story began long before they dreamed of The North. Growing up just a street apart and coming from families who were close friends, they became friends through a shared love of sport.

Both went on to attend McGill University, where Casey continued his baseball career. After graduating, their paths took them abroad. Casey signed a professional baseball contract in Switzerland, where he played for two seasons, while Matthew traveled to Serbia as a coach with Hockey Without Borders, an organization he would go on to serve as a director for five years.

Being able to play and coach abroad gave them a different perspective on sport. It brought them to new places, introduced them to new people and cultures, and gave them experiences they wouldn’t have had otherwise.

After returning home, both continued coaching collegiate athletics, Casey at his alma mater and Matthew at a junior college. Over time, they kept coming back to the same idea: they wanted others to have the chance to experience what sport had given them.

That became The North — a way to pair a love for the game with a curiosity for travel, and give people the chance to experience both.

Katia’s story has always been rooted in hockey, but her career has taken her well beyond the rink.

A McGill University graduate, Katia spent five years with the Martlets, where she served as team captain and became one of the program’s most accomplished players. During her time at McGill, she won two national championships, along with RSEQ and CIS Player of the Year honours.

After university, Katia continued her playing career professionally, joining Les Canadiennes de Montréal before taking her game overseas to Sweden, where she played for MODO in the SDHL. Playing at the highest levels in Canada and Europe gave her the opportunity to experience hockey in different countries, cultures and environments — and a firsthand understanding of what it means to travel for sport.

When her playing career came to an end, Katia stayed close to the game, transitioning into coaching. She returned to McGill as an associate coach with the Martlets, later joining the PHF’s Montréal Force as an assistant and skills coach.

Eventually, her career took her from the bench into hockey operations and management. With the New York Sirens, Katia spent two seasons as Manager of Hockey Operations, Game Presentation and Team Services, gaining experience on the other side of the sport — from building team experiences to managing the many moving pieces that happen behind the scenes.

Throughout every chapter, hockey has taken Katia to new places, introduced her to different cultures and connected her with people around the world. Those experiences shaped the way she sees travel: not simply as getting from one place to another, but as an opportunity to experience something bigger.

At The North, Katia brings that perspective to every trip — combining a deep understanding of hockey with a passion for creating meaningful experiences for the teams, athletes and families who travel with us.

Before Troy ever worked in travel or marketing, baseball had already taken him a long way. He played at the University of Maine before signing a professional contract with the Baltimore Orioles, experiences that gave him an early look at where the game could take him.

After his playing career, Troy picked up a camera and developed a passion for photography. What began as a creative outlet quickly became a new way to experience sport, travel and the people and places around them.

Troy first joined The North in 2019 as a photographer, documenting trips and capturing the moments that unfolded both on and off the field. Over time, his role with the company grew. Today, as The North’s Marketing Coordinator, he helps shape how those stories are told, while also travelling with the company as a tour leader.

Outside of The North, Troy works as a freelance photographer and remains involved in baseball as a coach. His path from player to photographer to The North has given him a unique perspective on what sport can offer beyond the game itself — new places, new connections and stories worth bringing home.