Vancouver Beavers

Teams of the NLF

Vancouver Beavers
The Vancouver Beavers are yet another tale of expansion by Tading during The NLF "Expansion Era" (2018 - 2021).When the BFL opened operations in 1975, they started with a team in Canada, the Toronto Raptors. That was considered unthinkable to have a pro football franchise outside the borders of the U.S.. But the BFL made it worthwhile. And by 2000, the Raptors were one of the BFL's most popular franchises. But by then, the fanbase in nearby Vancouver began to wonder why they weren't given the same opportunity as Toronto. In 2002, Robert Lavelle was asked that very question, and responded, "Isn't one team in Canada enough?". That would be the excuse the BFL would use for the next 16 years. With seemingly no other choice, Vancouver focused on other things. But, in 2018, Tading would prove his opportunistic ways a success yet again. In November of 2018, Tading sent the polls to the folks of Vancouver, with the hopes of moving in. Vancouver sent back a 93% approval rating. Lucky enough for Vancouver, the Toronto Raptors owner, Richard Nix, felt generous enough to donate $200M to the city for their stadium. Vancouver made up the rest, voted the name Beavers, named Gene Alouette owner, and had Beavers' Field finished finished in just under nine months. The team played their first game on May 13, 2020 vs the Arizona Outlaws, which they lost 23-13. Vancouver finished 2020 at 5-10. In 2021, HC Brad Moss drafted MLB Justin Penn in the 2021 Draft out of Michigan. In a relatively weak year for Division IV, Vancouver was able to make the playoffs, but lost to eventual Division IV champion Las Vegas. Heading into 2022, Justin Penn will lead the charge for the Beavers to advance. Are they ready?

Justin Penn, MLB


To Justin Penn, winning isn't a scenario, it's a mentality. I suppose it's easy to expect victory, when you were the centerpiece to one of the most physical defenses in college football history, as Penn was to Michigan from 2017 to 2021. Michigan saw all four of their starting linebackers go in the first round of their respected league's draft, with Penn going the highest at #2 to Vancouver in the 2021 NLF Draft. Penn had a mission coming into his rookie season in Vancouver, to display all the reasons why Penn was the future of the team. It's safe to say he did more than that in Year 1, guiding Vancouver to an 8-7 record, a playoff berth, and making a lasting impression on the kind of talent he truly possessed. Heading into Year 2, HC Brad Moss says Penn is the team's leader, and the focal point to Vancouver's D. Is Penn enough to edge out the London Royals, Sacramento Cyclones, and Omaha Nighthawks to win Division IV?