Sportscast Spotlight: Laura Mady (McKenzie), Sports Management Pro, former Lakers hockey forward

Laura Mady (nee McKenzie) joins the Sportscast crew in the Echo studio to talk about her path to North Bay and the highlights of her sports management career.
She grew up in the Owen Sound, Ontario corner of Southwestern Ontario and was recruited to play for the Nipissing Lakers women's hockey team for its inaugural season in 2013-14. Laura shares the zig-zagging hockey journey she took to make it into university athletics and pulls the curtain back on how Lakers coach Darren Turcotte guided the team to the OUA finals in just four years to earn silver in the McCaw Cup championship against Guelph.
After four years with the Lakers, Mady pursued a master’s degree in sports management in Ottawa. When she returned to North Bay, she embraced various roles that showcased her dedication to the community. She coached local teams, worked at the North Bay Granite Club, and now leads initiatives like the Hockey for Beginners program, introducing children aged 3 to 8 to the sport.
“It’s amazing to watch their progress,” Mady says, describing the program’s evolution from kids struggling to stand on skates to confidently gliding on the ice. Supported by volunteers, parents, and community donations, the program reflects her commitment to creating accessible and enjoyable hockey experiences.
Mady praises North Bay’s thriving sports culture, from hockey and curling to baseball. Alongside her husband Caleb, a professor at Canadore College and strength coach for the OHL’s North Bay Battalion, the couple is deeply embedded in the city’s athletic community. "Sports are everywhere here," she says.
Looking ahead, Mady is excited about new programs like North Bay's Whiffle Ball League, designed to keep kids active during the winter months.