In a move that has reignited the excitement within the North American Counter Strike community, NRG Esports has announced their re-entry into the competitive scene with a new roster for CS2. The announcement came through a video featuring co-owner Sapnap and CEO Andy Miller, confirming speculations that had been circulating earlier in the month.
The reveal was initially teased by Miller during an appearance on the League of Legends podcast "The Crossover," where he affirmed NRG's commitment to compete in the North American region. This strategic move marks a significant moment for NRG, which is looking to re-establish its presence in a landscape that has undergone considerable changes recently.
NRG's Veteran-Led Roster
Leading the charge for NRG is Damian Steele, known in the gaming world as Daps. At 30, Daps is no stranger to the ebb and flow of competitive Counter Strike, bringing a wealth of experience from his time playing and coaching. Notably, Daps served as a coach for Team Liquid throughout 2022 and 2023, and he previously played for NRG between 2018 and 2019. His return to NRG comes after his departure just before the organization's prior CS:GO roster was sold.
Daps will be joined by Vincent Cayonte, or Brehze as he is more commonly known. The 25-year-old player is making a comeback to NRG after a stint with Evil Geniuses. Brehze's history with NRG, alongside Daps, pre-dates their time at Evil Geniuses, and his return follows a less than stellar year with the team in 2023.
Josh Ohm, better known as oSee, is another high-profile addition to the team. After being benched earlier in the month, oSee left Liquid amidst a major restructuring that saw the team reduce its CS2 lineup to only two players. His transition to NRG signifies a fresh start for the talented player.
The roster also welcomes Jadan Postma, known as HexT, who parted ways with Evil Geniuses on November 28. HexT's nearly 18-month tenure with the organization adds another layer of experience to the NRG lineup.
Rounding out the team is Justin Coakley, or FaNg. Previously benched at Complexity following the addition of Jonathan Jablonowski to the team, FaNg's move to NRG offers him a new opportunity to showcase his skills on the global stage.
A Look Back at NRG's Esports Legacy
NRG Esports made its initial foray into the esports arena in late 2015, quickly gaining traction by assembling a CS:GO team that would propel the organization to early prominence. The original squad featured Fatih "gob b" Dayik, Nikola "LEGIJA" Ninić, Samuel "SileNt" Portillo, Justin "Just9n" Ortiz, and Peter "ptr" Gurney.
From 2018 to 2019, NRG's CS:GO team hit its stride, boasting a lineup that became one of the most formidable in North America. With stars like Tarik Celik, Ethan Arnold, and Peter "stanislaw" Jarguz, along with Brehze and Tsvetelin "CeRq" Dimitrov, the team carved out a reputation as a top contender in the region. During this golden era, Daps and Chet "ImAPet" Singh were integral as coaches, steering the team to impressive finishes, including a fourth place at the 2019 StarLadder Berlin Major and victories at the 2019 ESL One: New York and StarSeries i-League Season 8.
However, in September 2019, NRG stepped back from the competitive CS scene when it sold its then fourth globally ranked roster to Evil Geniuses for a reported $3 million, according to insider Guillaume "neL" Ratier. This move marked the end of an era for NRG.
The timing of NRG's resurgence is particularly noteworthy given the shifting dynamics in North American Counter Strike. With Team Liquid's unexpected relocation from NA to EU and rumors of Evil Geniuses potentially exiting esports, the field has been left with only a few major organizations. NRG's return could not only fill a void but also inject new life into the regional competitive circuit.
As the Counter Strike community watches closely, NRG's new roster represents both a nod to its storied past and a step towards a hopeful future. With seasoned veterans and fresh talent, NRG Esports is poised to make waves once again in the competitive Counter Strike landscape.