Vanier Cup-winning QB Evan Hillock signs with St. Joseph Goats in The Arena League

Canadian quarterback Evan Hillock has signed with the St. Joseph Goats of The Arena League.

Hillock attended Western University, where he seized the starting QB job as a freshman in 2021. He helped lead the Mustangs to a 5-1  record in the COVID-shortened season, then rattled off five straight playoff victories to win the Vanier Cup. The six-foot-three, 215-pound passer was the third first-year pivot to win a Canadian national championship as the starter and took home the Ted Morris Memorial Trophy as the game’s most valuable player.

The native of Hamilton, Ont., played out his full five seasons of U Sports eligibility, appearing in 50 career games. He completed 66 percent of his passes for 11,547 yards, 88 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions, while rushing for 304 yards and two majors. Hillock was named a first-team OUA all-star in 2022 and made the second-team in 2023 while helping Western win three consecutive Yates Cups as the Ontario champions.

Despite his impressive university career, Hillock was not selected in the 2025 CFL Draft.

The Goats, formerly located in Kansas City, currently play in St. Joseph, Missouri. The team is co-owned by former Chiefs running back Christian Okoye, as well as by Garage Beer, the brand launched by famous NFL brothers Jason and Travis Kelce. In their inaugural season in 2024, the team was quarterbacked by former CFL signal-caller Rakeem Cato.

The Arena League was founded in 2024 and currently plays seven-on-seven indoor football with eight franchises in the United States. Former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL star Tim Brown serves as the league’s commissioner.

The Goats are currently scheduled to kick off the 2026 season on Friday, May 29, when they visit the Arkansas Diamonds.