The American Counter-Strike scene has undergone a dramatic series of changes.
After the region’s top team iBUYPOWER decided earlier this week to part ways with Sam “Dazed” Marine and Joshua “Steel” Nissan, multiple teams among the continent’s best felt the reverberations.
After it became clear that iBUYPOWER would be adding Derek “Desi” Branchen, who previously played with the team’s new coach Drew “Irukandji” Timmerman, questions still remained regarding who would be the squad’s fifth player. Those questions have now been answered, as Nick “Nitro” Cannella has been brought onto the team.
Branchen and Cannella will be doing their best to quickly integrate themselves into the team as iBUYPOWER prepares to participate at the $250,000 DreamHack Winter tournament next month.
Cannella had only recently joined forces with Denial Esports, and his departure leaves that team in need a fifth player. It would appear that the team has turned to a former iBUYPOWER player, Todd “Anger” Williams, to take Canella’s place. Williams is scheduled to compete with Denial against the new iBUYPOWER roster next week.
Meanwhile, Marine and Nissan have joined together in forming a new team, Torqued, after having been relieved of their duties with iBUYPOWER. They will be joined by popular streamer Mohamed “Moe” Assad.
Torqued will be looking to earn a spot in the upcoming CEVO Professional league season.
Finally, MouseSpaz have lost a player of their own. Josh “jdm64” Marzano announced on social media that he would be leaving his longtime team.
The departure of Marzano leaves MouseSpaz lacking a dedicated sniper and raises questions regarding the team’s direction. The group left their former sponsor, Netcode Guides to pursue new opportunities. Marzano’s leaving the team will have many fans wondering where those new opportunities are going to come from.
Photo via Joshua Nissan/Facebook
Published: Nov 8, 2014 05:03 pm