It’s been a rough year for Elements. After disappointing showings in the Spring and Summer splits, the team lost its entire roster, then failed to sell its League Championship Series (LCS) spot.
Now, it’s trying to rebuild. This week, owner Jacob “Maelk” Toft-Andersen began assembling a new roster for 2016 in scrimmages.
Toft-Andersen is working on acquiring a former ROCCAT duo, top laner Etienne “Steve” Michels and marksman Rasmus “MrRalleZ” Skinneholm, both of whom have scrimmed with the team recently according to sources close to the players. For its jungle and mid lane, sources say the organization is looking to reunite former Gamers2 players Berk “Gilius” Demir and Jérémy “Eika” Valdenaire. And to round out the roster, the team is looking to a player it benched last summer, Hampus “promisQ” Abrahamsson.
Without veteran, star talent, the team may struggle against its opponents this season. Other teams, such as Fnatic, Origen, H2K, Splyce, Unicorns of Love, have already started to finalize their rosters with star players and talented rookies across the board.
Only a few weeks ago, Toft-Andersen was looking to sell team’s spot in the LCS. The highest bid, from former Challenger organization Team Nevo, ultimately fell through after the two didn’t come to terms over a reported €450,000 (around $495,000.) With that deal falling through, Toft-Andersen had no choice but to re-sign as the Elements’ owner on Dec. 9 because of a deadline imposed by Riot Games.
The current practice roster is arguably a large step down from the team’s 2015 rosters, which included Henrik “Froggen” Hansen, Erik “Tabzz” van Helvert, and Martin “Rekkles” Larsson.
Update 3:10pm Jan. 7: Elements has released its final roster, confirming this report.
Photo via Riot Games/Flickr
