Photo Credit: Lol Esports
Cloud9 announced Friday that long-time jungler Will “Meteos” Hartman will be stepping down and assuming an undetermined role with the organization. He will be replaced this weekend by former mid laner and current Chief Gaming Officer Hai “Hai” Du Lam.
“This was a difficult decision to make as clearly things on C9 have not been working out,” said Hartman via the team website. “I think stepping back for now and letting someone else jungle will help the team atmosphere and keep Cloud9 competitive in the LCS.”
Struggling squads are no stranger to making mid-split roster moves, but the random timing is one to warrant speculation of Cloud9’s wholeness and decisiveness as a team.
The move was first announced by LoL Esports on Twitter early Friday, indicating Lam as the team’s starting jungler for that week in an “emergency” substitution. The “emergency” substitution was proved to be nothing urgent other than the unusual timing of Hartman’s resignation. The untimely swap will cost the team a loss of two bans this weekend, leading to questions about what might have happened behind closed doors.
This split has been a nightmare for the usually competitive Cloud9, who sit near the bottom of the standings with an unrecognizable 3-7 record. The team hasn’t had that same magic since Lam's retirement and the transition to rookie Nicolaj “Incarnati0n” Jensen.
The team’s AD carry, Zachary “Sneaky” Scuderi took to his Twitch stream to discuss the move.
“Something about our combo of five just didn't work together, honestly, said Scuderi to the tune of a piano. “Like: Meteos, Sneaky, Lemon, Balls, Incarnati0n. It was never going terribly, but something didn't click.”
The Lam-led Cloud9 will clash with Team Liquid (6-4) and Team 8 (3-7) this weekend as they look to distance themselves from relegations.
