Steve

Review: A really good example of a great design. I like the noisy effect with clean render face. Blur on the text isn't really needed but it doesn't hurt the overall feel of this graphic. Speaking of text, great blend of font and effects. I guess the only thing I have to point out is that it has a ton of dead space on the right. I think everything could have been moved more center and it would have a better balance. Great job. 8.5/10

Review: Good stuff. More inline to what I like. Big render, functional text. Your design is very easy on the eyes and the overall feel is positive. I like the text effects, maybe not the font so much but that is a design choice. I also feel it is a bit heavy on the left. The render could be moved right a bit and it might have a slightly better balance. I am just nitpicking of course. Great job 8.5.10

As the playoffs are coming to an end, the off season becomes a bit more exciting. The focus on the next season becomes more clearer and training becomes more intense. Everyone wants to be ready for the season and will be well prepared to face the challenges ahead. On the flip side of all that is the notion that the off season kind of has a disconnect feeling to it. Like being in limbo without a lot going on in the league other than the playoffs. I fear some players lose momentum during this time and could even slack off a bit doing their weekly training routine. I think there could be a better involvement by the league to keep players more invested in the league. Anything is better than nothing. I am not sure if this should happen in the locker room or on a league level but the drop off from watching the games being played to just doing your tasks is huge. I think it could be better in all areas but it starts at the top. Player retention is key, let's not take it for granted.

1. The season has come to a close for LA. What are your overall thoughts on the teams play? I thought we never really played to our potential though we did have signs of really good play often. 2. How do you feel your player did individually? worse or better than you expected? Merrick had his lowest points season to date. That said, he still finished just at a point per game so I can't be unhappy with that. 3. Who would you pick as MVP this season? Why? I think Pines would be the MVP. He lead in scoring and was there when others were struggling. 4. What should LA acquire this off-season to make a better team? Not sure really. I thought we had a good mix of talent and it didn't really seem to get us to that next level. 5. LA is going to have a new agm going forward. Thoughts on the new hire? I use the "wait and see" approach. 6. What's your go to meal at a restaurant? Ribeye steak and mashed potatoes with gravey.

Well the season has ended and the LA Stars find themselves looking in from the outside. We just couldn't get a good streak going and the team play was sporadic at best. While having one of the best defenses, we also had one of the worst offenses. A combination that can go either way but unfortunately, it didn't go the way we wanted. I think the team still has good talent with more coming to the team this off season. It should add some scoring and help out a few that didn't have the season they should have had. There were a few perplexing games where it seemed like we had a handle on the game and turn right around and lose several. It wasn't easy to figure out what to do as the games came and went. On paper we had a solid team, it just didn't translate that well on the ice. I believe next season we will see players really pushing the aging players and most likely there will be some young talent on the top line. It should be a good season compared to this last one. Consistency is going to be key in the up coming season. The LA Stars never give up.

Review: Not bad. I like the render placement. Your background seems a bit strong but the render's face still holds the focus. Maybe a logo swap would have been a nice touch. The text, in my opinion, is the weak part of this graphic. I think a much larger version of the text would be a huge improvement. Overall a good product. Keep working at it. 8/10

Review: I like the overall design. Good placement and really appealing text/font. The render and text are well balanced. I think the only thing that catches my eye is your color palette choices. It just doesn't seem to blend well to me. Very subjective but a very clean project. 8/10

1. what's your go-to shootout move? I like to skate really fast, drop a shoulder, then turn right or left and lift the puck over the goalie. 2. How much do the fans have an impact on how you play at home? It's always fun to play in your own barn. The energy from the fans really pumps you up. 3. If you had to pick an alternative logo for LA what would it be? What color would the jersey be? Being a border state, I would have a logo appropriate to honor our fans from south of the border. 4. What's the bets piece of advice a coach or gm has given you? Stay with the game plan and go out there and make a difference. 5. Do you feel pressure to preform well? If so does that motivate you or does it make it harder? You always want to play good. I wouldn't call it pressure, it's more like excitement and drive to do your best. 6. Where's your favorite vacation spot? I think home is my favorite vacation location. After always being on the road or busy with the season, there is no place like home.

Well we are down to the last handful of games. It's been a bitter sweet season for the LA Stars. We are playing outstanding in some games and turn right around and have a stinker. We are just trying to get the lines settled down and win some games. We are going to need a big push to finish out the season. It would be good to be more consistent but hockey is not easy and you have to look past the bad games and hope for a better result moving forward. We have a few players that are having great seasons and some surprises with the lack of production from a few others. It is a good thing to have others step up when the ones that should be scoring are having a slump. So if we learned anything this season it would be that we have some good talent for the future.

Review: Good looking graphic. You design is solid and I like the overall appeal of this project. I think your formatting could be better, not to say it is bad but I think the render on the left side looking into the canvas would look more balanced with the text on the right. Good effects. Great job. 9/10

Review: Good news is that you are trying different things to improve your skills. One step you need to make is cutting out the render and creating some sort of background. Your logo swap is a good thing to perfect, it's not easy. Not much to comment on this as it's a modified stock image but you did try to make it your own. Keep pushing your skills and you will be pumping out unique graphics in no time. 7/10

1. The trade deadline has now passed. What do you think was the biggest move throughout the vhl this season? Nothing huge, just a couple of teams made moves. I can't think of anything that was a blockbuster. 2. If you could change any rule in the vhl what would it be? I think the games a backup goalie plays should be adjusted. If you have a rookie goalie that is active, give them a few more games but if it's a bot, make them play less. 3. What does your player HAVE to have in the locker room at all times? A good luck charm? Snacks? I have a bobble head doll of Josh that I keep in the locker. 4. Who is LAs biggest rival? what does that change in terms of how you play against them? The whole division is our rival. Top to bottom. 5. Do you have any game day superstitions? if so what are they? I have a certain way I put on my bra and panties. More of a routine than a superstition. 6. Whats the strangest thing you have heard in the locker room? Well, there are lots of strange things being said but one time it involved a donkey, midget and a lady of the night.

The LA Stars has found themselves in a strange place. While still able to beat good teams, we are still able to lose to lesser teams. We have, I believe the second best defense in the league but also the second worst offense. The team is still above .500 and working on making a push if we could only find one line that can consistently score. We have a mixed bag of talent that on any given day, anyone can score and the rest lay dormant. It is indeed and confusing season. Even though the consistency hasn't been on a level that would move us up in the pecking order, we still have the horsepower to make it happen. We have a lot of talent and they have shown that the changing of the guard is coming soon. We will wait and see if LA decides to make a move or two to improve the team for the future or hang in there and play this season out. We are not in the worst place but we want to be better in the standings.

Review: Interesting graphic. I must say that I really like the background you made. I think the color palette you used is a bit to diverse. Your text is getting lost in the background but I like the font. Your render looks good and a fair job with the logo swap but I think the render could use a bit of contrast. Overall a great project. 7.5/10

Review: You have a lot of good stuff happening here. I like the logo swap and the trophies. The format isn't perfect but it is good enough to get the theme of your graphic. Good color palette and the like the text box on the bottom. Well done. 8/10

1. As it starts to warm up what is your players favorite activity to do on a hot summer day? He just sits around and drinks beer and watches sports on his TV. 2. What type of workout do you absolutely hate? what's so bad about it? Having to get up and walk to the fridge for more beer. 3. Trade deadline is quickly approaching any suggestions for what should happen? Trade anyone that would bring something better to the team. 4. Is you could have one attribute that would never deprecate below 99 what skill would it be? why? Defense. Got to have good defense if you want to win games. 5. What do you believe is the most important attribute for a player? why? Scoring but it is just one part of this silly puzzle. 6. As we are around midway through the season do you think LA will make the playoffs with how things are looking? What needs to happen to ensure they LA does? I would hope so. You can't really tell until it's too late.

Review: Very good formatting. I like the size of the render and the text isn't overly large leaving the focus on the render. Your over baked look really works here and I don't even mind the overlay border at the top and bottom. Very good job. 9/10

Review: I really like the look of your sig. Your color palette is very smooth and the font/text looks amazing. I think the only thing I would like to see is maybe a slightly larger render with a bit more detail/highlights. Very good product. Great job. 9/10