Valken News

Why Valken LAX is Unique

April 16, 2009
We at Valken Lacrosse are very focused. We believe that we are the only Lacrosse manufacturer that is truly focused on what’s important, and that’s the beginners. Without our beginning players, Lacrosse has no future. We are committed to not only growing our player base but also our dealer base, so that more and more players (and parents!) can be provided with great equipment at a great cost. Recently we’ve partnered with Clearview youth lacrosse and provided them with a special league discount code to outfit themselves with Valken LAX. Participation in the youth league this year is at an all time high! (For more information about league discounts, click here. Join Valken in supporting the future of Lacrosse!

Valken Lacrosse, taking Lacrosse into the future…

April 1, 2009
Valken Sports can tell you first hand that the sport of Lacrosse is growing and swiftly gaining popularity. Even though, according to American Indian accounts, Lacrosse is the oldest sport in America! As more and more people discover Lacrosse, Valken Sports has been rapidly keeping up with supply and demand. Within the last few months, stores from over 20 states (and Canada!) have been busy stocking LAX products on their shelves. Spanning from Rhode Island to California, Valken LAX has been making its move across the nation. These days Lacrosse is gaining such popularity, that you will often find important matches on ESPN. As the sport continues to grow and flourish, Valken will be right there, ready to outfit new players, and initiate them into the world of Lacrosse.

Valken™ Sports Scores Big At US Lacrosse National Convention

January 18, 2009
Baltimore, MD – Valken™ Sports was nearly overwhelmed with the reception the LAX Elite™ line of boys youth received at this week’s US Lacrosse National Convention. Coaches, league representatives and retailers alike welcomed the LAX Elite™ product line and were universally impressed with the extreme value offered by LAX Elite™. With helmets meeting the NOCSAE standards yet retailing below $90 along with sticks, pads and gloves, the LAX Elite™ line of products represents one of the few if not only brands offering a complete starter package for boy’s lacrosse at under $200. Lacrosse’s growth trend comes at a time when economic troubles are putting pressure on many family’s disposable income. This coupled with the fact that boy’s Lacrosse requires an above average equipment expenditure often leaves parents with tough decisions. LAX Elite™ is focused on making these decisions much easier. To locate your nearest LAX Elite™ dealer contact Valken Sports at 866-97VALKEN (978-2553) or visit "www.ValkenLacrosse.com.

New Valken Show Rig

Valken revs up for 2009 season with introduction of the Valken Show Rig.

The new Valken Show Rig rolls nationwide with its 1500 square foot canopy, glass display cases, a private office, and elevated viewing platform—and it’s packed with a wide selection of Valken’s latest LAX products. From sticks to pads, to backpacks and gloves, come see for yourself how Valken’s product line will help you maximize your work, talent and dedication to the game.

Look for the Valken Show Rig at events throughout the year.

We are proud to welcome Robert as THE Valken of Lacrosse. Robert has jumped right into his role with the same passion he demonstrates on in the arena. By working closely with the Valken Sports research and development team, his extensive playing experience is already proving valuable beyond measure. Together, we look forward to the next few months, when we will be introducing the most technologically advanced and performance focused products to the sport of Lacrosse.
— Gino Postorivo, President & CEO, Valken Sports

Robert Van Beek lived sports in his young life. He uses all the multi sport tools to perform for the Philadelphia Wings in the NLL (National Lacrosse League) and the Langley Thunder of the WLA (Western Lacrosse Association). As a player Robert can score with regularity, he can check any player in the league, and will win all the loose balls.

An observer to the Philadelphia Wings games views Robert as a young veteran of the team where at 24 years old many rookies are entering the league. Robert was the 2nd youngest player in the league in 2005. During his sporting life he always played with the players older than him. This helped accelerate his development as an all-round lacrosse player. What he learned in those seasons taught him how to play the game properly. He is comfortable running the Power Play in Langley or the Short-Man Team in Philadelphia. A very smart player that makes very few mistakes but able to perform impact plays because he is unafraid to take risks.

As an all-round player that will do whatever is necessary for his team. Defense, offense, fighting – Robert can perform every function very well against the best players on the planet.

As a college Field lacrosse recruit at St Vincent’s Robert played with the field lacrosse team but was also a starter with the Soccer team (deemed ineligible for NCAA play).

His high school days saw him compete on the varsity football team, varsity wrestling team, snowboard team, field lacrosse and rugby teams. If the sport had contact – Rob played it.

Besides being one of the best athletes on any team Rob was a member of, he also was a team leader. Robert is the player that all coaches and players loved to have on their team. His gregarious and enthusiastic attitude always showed that the team came first and because its a game – enjoy it. Robert shows that he enjoys it. The impromptu dance with the Dance Team of the Philadelphia Wings, or the fight against a player that took liberties with one of his team mates, typifies Robert’s attitude to sports. You notice the opposition has a tremendous respect for Robert as a competitor both on and off the floor.

Robert always does a tremendous amount of Public Relations with every team he is involved with. Camps, hospital visits, business appearances, media interviews are all part of his regular routine. He has a great rapport with all he comes in contact with. Drafted 5th overall in the 2005 NLL Draft

• In 2005 was 2nd youngest player in the league
• Top 20 ALL TIME in games played and points with Philadelphia Wings (20 year franchise)
• 1st in NLL League in Penalty Minutes in 2006
• Lacrosse Nickname – Mr Saturday Night

• Fan Favorite for play on floor and ability to connect to fans
• Average 6.8 loose balls per game over career
• Career Shooting percentage 18.9%

YEAR TEAM         GP G  A  PTS PIM LB  S  SPCT SOG
2008 Philaldephia 5  4  2  6   16  43  18 .222 11
2007 Philaldephia 16 2  14 16  22  101 18 .111 11
2006 Philaldephia 16 7  19 26  72  110 23 .304 17
2005 Philaldephia 9  1  7  8   29  59  15 .067 10
	 TOTALS       46 14 42 56  139 313 74 .000 49

Other Lacrosse

• Drafted 1st overall in 2005 Western Lacrosse Association Draft
• 2nd team WLA All-Star in 2006 & 2007
• Assistant Captain of Langley Thunder (WLA) 2005, 2006 & 2007
• League MVP BC Junior A Lacrosse League 2003 & 2004
• 1st team BC Junior A League All-Star 2002, 2003 & 2005
• Team Captain BC Junior A Lacrosse League 2002, 2003, & 2004

Year  Team     League   GP  Goals  Assists  Points  PIM
1999  PoCo     BC Jr A  3   0      1        1       0
2000  PoCo     BC Jr A  6   1      4        5       0
2001  PoCo     BC Jr A  16  11     7        18      2
2002  PoCo     BC Jr A  22  25     23       48      41
2003  PoCo     BC Jr A  26  41     37       78      45
2003  3 Teams  WLA Sr A 6   2      0        2       0
2004  PoCo     BC Jr A  25  29     40       69      29
2004  3 Teams  WLA Sr A 3   2      0        2       0
2005  Langley  WLA Sr A 11  12     10       22      12
2006  Langley  WLA Sr A 16  11     17       28      21
2007  Langley  WLA Sr A 15  19     14       33      22

Minor Box Lacrosse

• BC Midget A Silver Medalist – league MVP and 1st team all-star 1999
• BC Midget A Gold Medalist – 2nd team all-star 1998
• BC Bantam A Silver Medalist 1996
• BC PeeWee A Silver Medalist 1994
• BC Novice Championship 1992

College Field Lacrosse

• Saints Vincent College - Stats unavailable
• Quote from Coach Peter Tulk, “He (Rob) is the best athlete I’ve seen one-on-one in my life. He’s powerful, like a running back in football, perfect combination of strength and speed. He is a remarkable athlete. I knew he was good, but not that good”.

Field Lacrosse

• Coquitlam Beer Hunters Senior Men’s Lacrosse Team
• Winner of Ross Trophy (Canadian Division 1 Championship) in 2006.
• Runner up for Ross Trophy in 2004 & 2005.

Minor Field Lacrosse

• BC Division 1 Champion – 1995, 1996, 1998, & 1997

Soccer

• Provincial “A” Championship 12 year olds – 1995
• Provincial “A” Runner up – 11, 13, & 15 year olds – 1994, 1996, 1998

Football

• BC High school AAA – Terry Fox Senior Secondary
• 2000 1st team All-Star Defense (Linebacker)
• 2000 2nd team All-Star Offense (Offensive Back)
• Team Captain Defense 1999 & 2000