Top Roster Changes in the LCS This Offseason
This offseason, we’ve seen some major roster changes in the LCS. Players like Nicolaj Jensen and Jo “CoreJJ” Yong-in have joined Team Liquid, Bae “Bang” Jun-sik is now with 100 Thieves, and Lee “Crown” Min-ho is playing for OpTic Gaming. However, one departure that took us by surprise was Kevin “Hauntzer” Yarnell leaving TSM.
The Sudden Departure of Hauntzer
After sticking with TSM through three championships, Hauntzer found himself being cut from the starting lineup with little warning. According to , he wasn’t given a chance to share starting spots. Despite TSM’s abysmal 2018 season, Hauntzer believes they made the wrong choice.
“I definitely knew there would be changes on TSM, especially after such a terrible year,” Hauntzer told . “I don’t think they made the right changes, but it’s not my decision. TSM has their own way they want to run the organization. I can’t really do anything about that, but I’m in a better situation now. That’s just life.”
Hauntzer Finds a New Home
Hauntzer quickly found a new team in the Golden Guardians, backed by the Golden State Warriors. He was impressed by their management and infrastructure, and despite a rough year in 2018, he is confident that the team will find success with the changes being made.
A Fresh Start with Better Atmosphere
Now the starting top laner for the Golden Guardians, Hauntzer is playing alongside talented players like Froggen, Olleh, Contractz, and Deftly. He mentioned that Deftly and Contractz are great teammates to work with, and the veterans are fitting in well. Hauntzer believes that Golden Guardians could become one of the strongest teams in the league. He also finds the team’s atmosphere to be “10 times better” than what he experienced with TSM.
A More Balanced Lifestyle
One of the major differences Hauntzer noticed is the emphasis on a balanced lifestyle with the Golden Guardians. Unlike TSM’s constant pressure to only focus on League of Legends, Hauntzer enjoys the freedom to relax and pursue other activities. He even started kickboxing, which has helped him feel less stressed overall.
New Coaching and a More Productive Atmosphere
Hauntzer is also pleased with the coaching situation on the Golden Guardians. With former Echo Fox coach Nick “Inero” Smith leading the team, they have been performing well in scrims. Hauntzer appreciates Inero’s plan for drafting and playing the game, as well as his valuable feedback after games. He feels that the coaches have more say in Golden Guardians compared to his time with TSM.
Despite the changes, Hauntzer remains friends with his former TSM teammates and wishes them the best. However, he isn’t holding back when it comes to competing against them in the upcoming LCS season.
esports, LCS, roster changes, TSM, Kevin Hauntzer Yarnell, Golden Guardians, competitive gaming, League of Legends