By Travis Larner, Knighthawks.com --
In two weeks, goaltender Ben VanEvery will make his return to the Rochester Knighthawks. He will attend the team’s training camp on Saturday, November 24th and Sunday, November 25th at Total Sports Experience in Gates after signing a one-year deal on Monday. (Photo by Tim Prothero - http://vintagelax.com)

During the 2009 season, VanEvery played in Rochester, where he made 26 saves, and earned a .788 save percentage and a 9.57 goals-against average. The bulk of VanEvery’s work came in a road game against the San Jose Stealth. He deflected 24 shots for a .800 save percentage that night.

“It’s definitely exciting to be playing professional lacrosse. That’s everybody’s goal, right?” said VanEvery. “I don’t really feel like I have much to lose. It’s a second chance and I have a great opportunity to prove myself again.”

The Chicago Shamrox drafted VanEvery in the 2007 NLL Entry Draft with the 61st overall pick in the fifth round after a stellar finish to his junior career. In 2006 and 2007, VanEvery was named a co-Winner of the Bob Melville Memorial Trophy as the top goaltender in the Ontario Lacrosse Association Junior “A” series. He played with the Six Nations Arrows from 2003-07.  He backstopped the Arrows to the 2007 Minto Cup title alongside Knighthawks Cody Jamieson, Craig Point and Sid Smith, and recent signees Chris Courtney and Miller Rusbridge.

“I just talked to the boys the other day actually. It’s all kind of surreal meeting with the boys at this level again. I’ve been playing Senior ‘B’ lacrosse for the last four summers out East, so I haven’t gotten the chance to play with those guys in a while. I’m definitely looking forward to that and knowing the atmosphere will be positive,” said VanEvery.

“Curt (Styres) started with the Arrows when I was there. It’s definitely pretty cool to come back to someone who cares so much about the game. It’s a great opportunity,” he added.

In 2008, he suited up with the Kahnawake Mohawks of the Senior “B” Quebec Senior Lacrosse League. He went 10-3 with 393 saves and a 4.95 goals-against average in the regular season. He went on to earn First-Team All-Star honors in the 2008 President’s Cup Tournament, averaging 5.28 goals against with a .881 save percentage. He led all goalies in the tournament with 193 saves.

“I caught on with some good teams. Supporting casts and defenses are always important. To have the goal of a national championship every summer adds to my comfort level coming back to Rochester. I played at a high level every summer,” said VanEvery.

With the Snake Island Muskies, also in the QSLL, VanEvery went 4-1, leading the team in wins, goals-against average (.817) and save percentage (.797) in 2011. He won three additional games in the postseason. He played for the Muskies and the Canadian Lacrosse League champions, the Ohsweken Demons, in 2012.

Winning the Champion’s Cup after claiming a CLax championship would be the “utmost satisfying feeling” for the Brantford, Ontario native.

“Consistency would be what I want to prove. People in the lacrosse community know my capabilities…when it comes to playing. I’ve got to be consistent,” said VanEvery. “I am there to help the guys get better if they need extra shots, or help ‘Vno’ (Matt Vinc) if he needs a break or battle with ‘Jaker’ (Jake Henhawk) - all of those good things.”