LVShark

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**Wrote this a long time ago, but I forgot to post it** The Moscow Red Wolves are currently sitting with a record of 22-33-4 and have officially been eliminated from the VHLM Playoffs. Although their season did not go as planned, there have been some positives. One of which is the young Latvian offensive threat. Maris Ziedins, who is playing his first season of professional hockey. Ziedins has shown that he can elevate his game to the next level and after 62 games of the VHLM season, Maris Ziedins or "Z" as his teammates know him, has 109 points. Maris has scored 44 times and has added 65 assists over the season. "The kid has amazing offensive talent" said Moscow coach Yuri Karpov. "It's easy to get mesmerized when Ziedins skates. He constantly has his head up, he's looking for open teammates, he's got his eyes on the net. No matter where he is, he can score or set someone up to score." Many people think that Ziedins could've put even more points up on the board if he were on a team with other superstars such as Jody 3 Moons or Sachimo Zoidberg. "I just go out every shift, and I give everything I have. If I come back to the bench after being out there for a minute and I still have energy then I know I need to work harder. I pride myself on my work ethic, and part of that is working and giving 110% every time my skates touch the ice." When asked where the young Latvian superstar would like to be drafted he had this to say. "I'm not very picky. Something that is important to me is that I play for an organization that likes to win. Nobody plays to lose. You only have so many years in the league, and I don't want to spend part of my career on a team that is rebuilding or isn't going to compete. I want to win just as bad as the next guy. I'd say the top teams are probably the Quebec City Muete or New York Americans. They have amazing forwards, amazing defense, and it's all solidified by a goalie who can stop anything." Many people often criticized Ziedins defensive abilities. They would say that he's slow on the back check, doesn't play a physical game, and often times lacks heart. After reading what some of his critics had to say Maris wanted to comment. "I've known for a while that my game has holes in it. Part of becoming a professional is learning to fix the holes in your game. I've tried to start hitting more, and making sure to put my head down and skate hard on the back check. Do I still have room to grow? Absolutely, but I think I have grown a lot already with my time spent in Moscow. We have a great coaching staff, and they really work with us."

Maris Ziedins Forward Assists Points

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Are there any good tutorial videos I can watch that covers these things?

So I haven't used photoshop since I first created Cody Inko....It's been a long ass time. I know this is shitty so could someone please give tips. I know one thing is layers. Please explain how

The Story of Big Z Maris Ziedins was born in Talsi, Latvia where he grew up around the great game of hockey. Z began playing for the local youth hockey team at the age of 5. Although he was one of the younger kids on the team he was already the tallest kid. Playing with 7-8 year olds gave Z a lot of competition at an early age, which proved to be very useful for his development. By the time he was 14 Z was already gaining some major recognition by local junior leagues, as well as many VHLM teams. Maris lead his Bantam major team to back-to-back national championships as well as being the leading scorer for goals and assists not only for his team, but for the entire country. By the time Maris turned 18 every junior program in Latvia as well as North America wanted Maris on their team. Maris soon had to make a choice. Would he stay at home and play juniors and pursue a career with HC Riga, or would he declare for the VHLM Entry Draft? “Recently I’ve spent a lot of time mulling my options over, and after a lot of discussion with my parents I have decided to bring my game to North America and play in the VHLM and hopefully one day play in the big leagues for the VHL. I look forward to the change in lifestyles, and I can’t wait to hopefully hear my name be called in the VHLM draft.” Maris told the news reporter Quickly North American hockey enthusiasts began picking apart his game. What were his strengths? Where could he grow his game more? What areas would people consider weak? The general consensus about Z’s strengths were that he could skate very well despite being 6’8, he had very soft hands, and he could shoot a laser from anywhere on the ice. First, lets look at his skating a little more. Maris has always been one of the tallest players on the ice, and for many tall players it’s known they lack agility and quickness. Luckily that has never been a problem for Maris. Growing up he would wake up at 6AM every morning and meet with a skating coach to work on all types of drills weather it was for overall speed, quick starts, or ability to change directions at the drop of a hat. Another great part of his game is that he could stick handle like nobody had ever seen before. Maris could skate through an entire team and make it look like a cake walk. His third major strength was his shot. Standing at 6’8, Maris was able to lean into every shot and release a cannon every time. One major weakness in his game is his discipline. He’s very well known for being a hot head, and often times would take bad retaliation penalties after getting a little tap on the leg or a face wash behind the play. Ziedins quick temper has been known to land him in the penalty two to three times a game. Is this something a team will want to deal with during the regular season? What about during playoffs in overtime? This has huge potential to affect Z’s stock. Another one of his weaknesses is that although he is a threat on offense, it’s been stated that he sometimes flees the offensive zone a little too early looking for breakaways and doesn’t always hustle on the backcheck. This is something that all the scouts key in on. Maris has been known to be a lazy defensive player who will often times shy away from hits, lift his leg so he won’t have to block a shot, or simply swing his stick as an opposing player skates by with the puck. His third major weakness is without a doubt his fighting ability. Although he’s big, Maris has only been in 2 fights which he’s happened to lose both. You would think that standing at 6’8 would mean you’re a force to be reckoned with, but in this case it seems that Ziedins is more of a gentle giant. Overall Maris is an amazingly talented offensive threat, and any team looking for a winger that can average well over a point per game won’t be disappointed in drafting him, but if they’re looking for a 2 way player, they may want to continue to look into other options. Will Maris be able to adapt and become more of a two-way team player? Or will he remain as he currently is?

Comin’ Straight Outta Talsi Maris Ziedins, or Z as everyone else calls him, is joining the VHLM after spending the first 18 years of his life playing in his native country of Latvia. The 6’8 offensive minded winger has all the tools to put up big numbers in North America. Weather it’s a simple wrist shot, a one timer, or walking through the defense and deking the goalie, Z will find a way to put the puck in the net. Z is already being talked about as one of the greatest players to ever step foot in the VHLM, and all this hype coming before he’s even played a single game in the country! “Maris has all the tools it takes to be a major contributor to the offense. He’s got the shot, soft hands, quick and agile on his skates. He’s the type of player I would build my offense around.” said one scout when asked of Z’s strengths Although Ziedins is one of the taller players in the VHLM, he certainly doesn’t let that slow him down. He says his agility is one of his biggest strengths. “Not many players my size have the ability to stop, start, and transition as fast as I can. It’s a major tool to have and when you’re able to move like that and use your size as well I think it gives defenders a hard time covering me.” Although Z has tremendous upsides to his offensive game, it’s the defensive zone where many are worried he is lacking. “Ya, the kid can skate and shoot, but he’s lazy. Ziedins doesn’t always backcheck super hard and he’s very undisciplined when it comes to taking bad penalties. If you hack him in the back odds are he’s going to retaliate and get a penalty. He needs to work harder in his own zone and realize he’s just gonna have to take a punch sometimes and not lash out.”

Maris Ziedins Forward Assists Points

(Maris Ziedins lines up for his first shift in North America with the Yukon Rush) Maris Ziedins has only been in North America for two weeks, and he has already been a part of two VHLM teams. After being claimed off of waivers by the Saskatoon Wild, he was later transferred to the Yukon Rush for the remainder of this season. Upon arriving in Yukon, Ziedins quickly found a place on the second line with Charlie Conway and Eti Yoman. The line has clicked very well, and Ziedins has posted three goals and five assists in his first nine contests in North America. "It appears that Ziedins game has quickly adjusted to the North American style of play. After watching him play nine games it's clear to say that he's going to be an offensive threat as he grows more and more comfortable with not only his new team, but the style of play over here. Keep an eye on him as the season comes to a close, and as the Rush look to make a playoff appearance." Recently we were able to sit down with Maris and hear his thoughts on his first two weeks in North America. "I love it! It's a great country to be in, and I look forward to living here for many years. I'm thankful that Yukon has given me the chances that they have, and I hope to keep this level of play up so I can contribute to the team. We have a great group of guys, and I think we can make playoffs if we keep winning and working hard. Also, I want to say that I really like playing with Conway and Yoman! They're both great players, and we've seemed to have great chemistry together. It's just pass, shoot, and score every time we're in the offensive zone. Teams won't be able to stop us as we grow more and more used to each other on the ice." Ziedins told a reporter As you can see, Ziedins certainly doesn't lack self confidence, and he seems to be very pleased with his choice to forgo the KHL, and to come to North America and attempt to be drafted into the VHL. When asked about what conference he wanted to be drafted to during the VHL Entry Draft, he replied with this: "It really doesn't matter because I'll play for anyone that wants me. Yes, I would prefer to stay in North America. I love it here because it's so different then Talsi, but if someone in the European Conference drafts me I would be excited to play for them. I think it would be cool to play for Riga because it's so close to home. I grew up watching their games on TV, and my mom always said if I ever made it to the pros I had to play there so she could come watch me!" Ziedins will finish the season with Yukon and just take one step at a time towards becoming a professional athlete in the VHL. 493 words 1 picture

Didn't even know I was signed yet! lol Glad to be with Yukon I guess

NYA CAL SEA DAV

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I'm worth so much