Forgot password
Enter the email address you used when you joined and we'll send you instructions to reset your password.
If you used Apple or Google to create your account, this process will create a password for your existing account.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Reset password instructions sent. If you have an account with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or contact support if the problem persists.

Pioneers enter Apex Legends, picking up fan-favorites from ALGS Championship

The Kansas City org is introducing a touch of European class.

Ahead of the impending Apex Legends Global Series season, yet another organization has decided to enter the game. North American org Pioneers is getting in on pro Apex for the first time, entering the EMEA scene by signing some of the break-out stars of July’s ALGS Championship.

Recommended Videos

Pioneers announced the signing of the former GMT Esports roster today, consisting of Casper “Gnaske” Præstensgaard, Maksym “Max-Strafe” Stadniuk, and Matthew “SirDel” Biggins. The trio, which has competed together both as GMT and as a free agent squad, has a reputation as one of the EMEA region’s best teams, and will look to build off of their success in the Split Two Playoffs and the ALGS Championship heading into the new season of competition.

At the ALGS Championship in July, the team needed to field an emergency sub for their original sub. Max-Strafe is one of the game’s premier Ukrainian players, and could not attend the ALGS Championship LAN in Raleigh, NC, due to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The team originally fielded Swedish player Rasmus “maydeelol” Zettergren as a substitute, but maydee tested positive for COVID-19 prior to the event, forcing the team to turn to American player Beau “RamBeau” Sheidy, who had not qualified for the Championship and had traveled to the event to attend as a spectator.

Despite the last-second change, GMT finished in fifth place overall at the Championship, winning $120,000. Their energy and clutch plays also won over the hearts of the North American crowd, with “GMT” chants filling the PNC Arena several times over the course of the finals.

The major question facing the new Pioneers roster heading into the ALGS season will once again be the status of Max-Strafe. According to Gnaske, the Ukrainian player still isn’t allowed to leave the country, following Ukraine’s war-time mandate that allows no adult males to exit the country. A few exceptions to that rule have been made, however. Notably, VALORANT pro Kyrylo “ANGE1” Karasov has managed to travel for the last two major VCT LAN events. At the time of writing, however, it doesn’t seem that Max-Strafe has the same luck.

Still, the trio will likely be one of the best teams that the EMEA region will have to deal with throughout this season. And with the backing of a brand new organization, the team will hopefully receive the support they need to continue on their upwards trajectory.


Dot Esports is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
Author
Image of Adam Snavely
Adam Snavely
Associate Editor
Associate Editor and Apex Legends Lead. From getting into fights over Madden and FIFA with his brothers to interviewing some of the best esports figures in the world, Adam has always been drawn to games with a competitive nature. You'll usually find him on Apex Legends (World's Edge is the best map, no he's not arguing with you about it), but he also dabbles in VALORANT, Super Smash Bros. Melee, CS:GO, Pokemon, and more. Ping an R-301.