joe vanvalkenburg

• AEA Hall of Fame Induction: June 1, 2023
  
• Silver Puck Challenge Titles: SPCI (2005), SPCVII (2011), SPCIX (2013), SPCX (2014), SPCXV (2019)
  
• Hockey Hold'em Titles: NA
  
• Dekes & Dangles Title: DDVI (2021), DDVII (2022)
  

achievements

• AEA Titles: 7
  
• 1st Ballot AEA Hall of Fame Induction (2023)
• Youngest AEA Champion; 16 years old. (SPC 2005)
• Played 19 Consecutive SPC tournaments (2005-Present)
• Naming Honors, B+ Bracket
  

aea history

Joe has been a participant in the AEA since 2005. He made his AEA debut at the very first Silver Puck Challenge tournament in the B Bracket; now known as the Jonkman Cup (B). Joe was brought in and placed on a house team known as the Knights, he was only 16 years of age. The undermanned Knights would need this AEA rookie to finish off their roster for the weekeind. This mix of characters would go through the bracket, make it to Championship Sunday and claim the first ever Silver Puck Challenge title over Professional Lake Management (4-1). This team is still the only house team to have claimed a title at the Silver Puck Challenge.

Joe would play another year as a waiver wire player before he would start building his own teams (SPC) for future Silver Puck Challenge tournaments. He would have to wait five (5) years before he would taste victory with his own team of friends and fellow classmates from Kentwood High School. His first championship as the captain of SPC would be a 5-0 shutout over annual contenders WIFC at Silver Puck Challenge VII (2011).

A couple of short years later Joe he would lead his team to the first of two back-to-back championship cups. The first one coming at Silver Puck Challenge IX (2013) with an overtime, shootout, win over the Gong Show (5-4, OTS, Formerly the Davenport University, 3x National Champions team). The following year team SPC would keep the the foot on the gas and cruise to their third championship with a 5-2 win over Speaker City at Silver Puck Challenge X (2014).

In 2019 at Silver Puck Challenge XV; Joe would bring a squad worthy enough of going the distance once again. This time it would be a 6-2 win over Red, White & Brew. Joe currently has five (5) Silver Puck Challenge titles to his name.

In 2021, Joe would play in his first Dekes & Dangles pond hockey tournament at FTK Ice Center. He would participate in the 30+ Bracket at Dekes & Dangles VI and once again add another piece of hardware to the trophy case. He would follow up his 2021 performance with another D&D 30+ title at Dekes & Dangles VII in the winter of 2022.

Joe is still looking and has yet to participate in the Hockey Hold'em tournament. A Hockey Hold'em title would give him the final piece of the AEA All Round Champions puzzle.

He has probably traveled the most miles to be present and participate at every Silver Puck Challenge tournament. He has traveled from all over the US just to come back home year after year (California, Mississippi, Illinois and Wisconsin).

Joe also has one of the most competitive "rotation" games in beer league hockey history. He's been known for leading the charge in 3 hour showers, somber sippers, and game winning shotguns.

updates since induction

• None
  

current aea status

• Active