In a move that's set the esports community abuzz, NRG Esports has announced its re-entry into the competitive Counter Strike arena with the unveiling of their new roster for CS2. This announcement was made public through a video featuring co-owner Sapnap and CEO Andy Miller. It marks a significant return to form for an organization with a storied history in the scene.
The buzz around NRG's potential comeback had been gaining momentum earlier in the month. Andy Miller put all speculation to rest during his appearance on the "The Crossover," a League of Legends podcast, where he confirmed the team's intention to participate in the North American region once more.
A Veteran Leader
At the helm of the new squad is Damian Steele, known in the gaming world as Daps. The 30-year-old Canadian brings a wealth of experience to the team, having achieved numerous accolades throughout his career. His most recent stint includes serving as a coach for Team Liquid in both 2022 and 2023. Daps is no stranger to NRG, having played for them between 2018 and 2019, before leaving just prior to the sale of their former CS:GO roster.
Seasoned Players Reunite
Daps is joined by Vincent Cayonte, better known as Brehze, who transitions from Evil Geniuses back to familiar territory. The 25-year-old player had previously competed alongside Daps in NRG before the team's acquisition by Evil Geniuses. After four years away and following a disappointing year with his former team, Brehze is set to don the NRG jersey once again.
Further bolstering the lineup is Josh Ohm, or oSee, coming over from Liquid after being benched amid significant changes to their roster. With Liquid paring down their CS2 team to just two players, oSee found himself seeking a new home, which he found in NRG.
Jadan Postma, also known as HexT, is another notable addition, parting ways with Evil Geniuses on November 28 after an 18-month tenure. His arrival adds another layer of depth to the NRG lineup.
Completing the roster is Justin Coakley, alias FaNg, who was previously benched at Complexity. His move came as a result of the team making space for Jonathan Jablonowski, known in the community as EliGE. FaNg's transition to NRG is seen as a fresh start for the skilled player.
NRG's Legacy in CS
NRG Esports was founded in late 2015 and quickly made its mark by establishing a CS:GO team that contributed significantly to the organization's growth and popularity. They signed the former Method squad, which included Fatih "gob b" Dayik, Nikola "LEGIJA" Ninić, Samuel "SileNt" Portillo, Justin "Just9n" Ortiz, and Peter "ptr" Gurney, setting the stage for future successes.
From 2018 to 2019, NRG's CS:GO team saw considerable success, boasting a star-studded lineup with talents like Tarik Celik, Ethan Arnold, and Peter "stanislaw" Jarguz. Together with Brehze and Tsvetelin "CeRq" Dimitrov, they propelled the team to become one of the best in North America. During this golden era, Daps and Chet "ImAPet" Singh were at the coaching helm, leading the team to impressive finishes including a fourth-place at the 2019 StarLadder Berlin Major. Following their transition to Evil Geniuses, the team continued their winning streak with victories at the 2019 ESL One: New York and the StarSeries i-League Season 8.
Their withdrawal from competitive CS in September 2019 marked the end of an era as they sold their then fourth globally ranked roster to Evil Geniuses for a reported $3 million, as per esports insider Guillaume "neL" Ratier. This sale was a pivotal moment in NRG's history, but their latest announcement signals a strong desire to reclaim their position at the pinnacle of North American Counter Strike.
NRG's resurgence comes at a time when the North American CS landscape is undergoing significant changes. With Team Liquid's surprise move from NA to EU and rumors circulating about Evil Geniuses' potential exit from esports, the scene is ripe for NRG's renewed presence. Only time will tell if this new assembly of seasoned veterans and promising talent can recapture the magic that once made NRG a household name in the competitive Counter Strike community.