The CNPL was designed to create a professional space for Canada’s top-ranked pickleball players to develop and showcase their skills while cultivating our country’s next generation of athletes."
Canadian Pickleball League
meet the MONTREAL LIONS
Kim Layton
Kim Layton
Kim Layton
Kim Layton is a wife and mom to four kids and believes that moms can benefit from finding ways to pursue their goals and passions. Women of all ages can find growth and joy in participation in sport! She has a multi sport background and competed in triathlons for many years up to the full Ironman distance. Her accomplishments in pickl
Kim Layton is a wife and mom to four kids and believes that moms can benefit from finding ways to pursue their goals and passions. Women of all ages can find growth and joy in participation in sport! She has a multi sport background and competed in triathlons for many years up to the full Ironman distance. Her accomplishments in pickleball include several medals at Canadian Nationals, triple crowns at multiple local tournaments and in US Western Regionals at the 5.0 level and she is among the top female players in Canada. She is excited for Canada to grow the sport with this CNPL league. Let’s play pickleball!
Cam Rich
Kim Layton
Kim Layton
Cam Rich is unabashedly addicted to the sport of pickleball. He has played for nearly a decade and is a committed Montreal Lion. When he is not on the courts, Cam dedicates his time and talents in his role as a registered nurse in the emergency department.
Grace Thomas
Grace Thomas
Grace Thomas
My name is Grace Thomas. I am 25 years old and I live in Victoria, BC. I have been playing pickleball for three years. My original sport was squash, having competed as a junior and senior at the National level. When the squash courts closed down due to covid, my friends and I thought we'd give pickleball a try to keep active and continue
My name is Grace Thomas. I am 25 years old and I live in Victoria, BC. I have been playing pickleball for three years. My original sport was squash, having competed as a junior and senior at the National level. When the squash courts closed down due to covid, my friends and I thought we'd give pickleball a try to keep active and continue playing a racquet sport. I've loved the sport ever since and I've never looked back! My proudest result to date is winning a silver medal in Women's 5.0 singles at the 2021 Canadian Nationals in Red Deer, AB. I'm really excited to be a member of the Montreal Lions and to compete!
Eric Gagnon
Grace Thomas
Grace Thomas
Eric was born in Montreal and has played several sports at the pro level. His badminton and tennis prowess in his past came very handy a couple a years ago when he picked up pickleball. IN his first year competing Eric won the prestigious US Open gold medal and the world championship in singles and mixed doubles, he went on to win 16 add
Eric was born in Montreal and has played several sports at the pro level. His badminton and tennis prowess in his past came very handy a couple a years ago when he picked up pickleball. IN his first year competing Eric won the prestigious US Open gold medal and the world championship in singles and mixed doubles, he went on to win 16 additional medals in that inaugural year. Eric is also an entrepreneur and along with his wife owns the largest restaurant brokerage firm in the US the firm was started by this duo over 22 years ago. His drive for excellence and passion for the best results will make him a strong opponent. “I am proud to be representing all of the Quebecers in this inaugural season of the Canadian National Pickleball league, it is honor to play for my hometown” Merci beacoup Montreal !! and GO LIONS!!! Fear the roar !!
Jay Devilliers
Jocelyn "Jay" Devilliers, known as the Flying Frenchman and ranked top 5 in the world, is a celebrated professional pickleball player and one of the proud owners of the Montreal Lions.
Originally excelling in various sports during his childhood in France, including soccer and tennis, Devilliers ultimately chose tennis and pursued it professionally in Barcelona, Spain. However, a severe injury led him to accept a college tennis scholarship in the United States in 2013. In 2019, he discovered pickleball and found it to be a perfect fit without taking a toll on his body like tennis. Since then, he has become a dominant force in the sport, regularly reaching tournament finals and achieving success in all three divisions. Jay is not only dedicated to his game but also serves as an ambassador for the French Pickleball Federation, working to grow the sport in France. Fluent in four languages, he travels extensively with his family, exploring new places and cultures while passionately competing and sharing his knowledge of the sport.
In Action
