Calgary is home to the first expansion team of the Can-Am Junior Hockey League

Press Release
March 21, 2022

Calgary is home to the first expansion team of the Can-Am Junior Hockey League.

The Directors of the CAJHL voted to approve the expansion application of the AMP Hockey Academy from Calgary, Alberta.  The “AMP Warriors” Junior A Hockey Club will start play in the 2022/23 season out of the Winsport Canada Olympic Park facility. 

“This is a historic day for our league,” said Bryan Brown, CAJHL President. “Our goal was to bring in groups that had the same like-mindedness in the development of the league. And we believe that the AMP Hockey Academy is a perfect fit for what our league is looking to develop in to.” 

“A team in Calgary allows us to grow our geographic footprint into a great area, which is something that was a focus for the Board of Directors,” Brown said. 

The AMP ownership group is led by founder, Brad Layzell. Brad played Junior Hockey with Kanata Valley Lasers, Division 1 NCAA with RPI, drafted by the Montreal Canadians in 1991 and was a member of the Canadian National team in 1996.  Brad is married with 4 children.

“We’re very excited to a part of the CAJHL,” said Layzell. “We have a pretty amazing platform now that allows us to develop players from 4 years old right through to the Junior A level, it’s humbling to work with so many great people and see everything come together.” 

The AMP team will come out of gate with some great pedigree running the team. General Manager for the team is Sean Selmser. Selmser is a former professional hockey player, drafted 182nd overall by the 1993 Pittsburgh Penguins. Sean played most of his career in Europe in addition to his time with the Canadian National Team. 

Assistant General Manager is Meaghan Mikkelson. Mikkelson is a member of the Canadian National Ice Hockey team, currently affiliated with the Calgary Chapter of the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association. She won a National Championship at Wisconsin, a Championship with the Calgary Inferno, along with 2 gold medals during the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics and a silver medal in the 2018 Winter Olympics with Team Canada.

Assistant General Manager is Chris Cederstrand. Chris hails from Martensville, SK and has played n the WHL with the Red Deer Rebels as well as the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League with the Melville Millionaires.  Chris was a member of the Canadian National Sledge Hockey team and is currently the managing director of the AMP Calgary Flames Tier 1 Sledge Hockey Program.  Chris brings a wealth of experience, character, leadership to the club 

Last and certainly not least, is Head Coach Claude Vilgrain. Claude is a former professional player. He played in the NHL for the Vancouver Canucks, New Jersey Devils and the Philadelphia Flyers. Claude was also a member of the 1988 Canadian National team in the Winter Olympics in Calgary. Drafted 107th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in 1982, Vilgrain has also been a key member in the NHL’s diversity initiatives across North America for over 20 years. 

The Can-Am Junior Hockey League is delighted to add this amazing group to its program and are looking forward to hearing more from the AMP Hockey Academy!

For more information please contact admin@cajhl.com