Cloud9's road to a successful professional gaming career underwent a series of ups and downs before it was able to sail on steady waters that made them reach Season Six of the "League of Legends" gaming scene.
Original team members of Cloud9 joined the 2013 NA LCS Spring Split under Quantic Gaming but failed to perform well enough to get them anywhere. Despite the poor results that made some players leave, the team made a strong comeback during the 2013 NA LCS Summer Split, this time, debuting as Cloud9.
The team broke LCS records for earning a 25-3 standing in the 2013 NA LCS Summer split and held that record until Fnatic's 18-0 during the 2015 Summer Split, according to LoL Esports.
However, just as C9 was getting off to a good start and its fan base was beginning to grow, the team faced a major roadblock. Hai "Hai" Lam - Mid, Jungle and Support player for the team who is considered the heart of C9- fell victim to several medical issues, which included a collapsed lung all throughout the 2014 Summer Split and then a Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) in his wrist later that same year. Heeding doctor's advice, he decided to retire, leaving a gaping hole in Cloud9.
Cloud9 played worse than ever without Hai on the team with them, earning more losses than wins.
Before Season Five started, "Meteos," the team's Jungler at the time, decided to leave the team. With his loss, Hai got back to playing for the team again, and despite still struggling to make it to the Worlds 2015, the team managed to show a good game during the first week, even gaining the first pentakill of the season with a match against Fnatic, as HNGN previously reported.
This season, Hai will still be playing on the team, taking the role as support while his squad - An "BalIs" Van Le on top lane, Lee "Rush" Yoon-jae as Jungler, Nicolaj "Jensen" Jensen on Mid lane, and Zachary "Sneaky" Scuderi as AD Carry - fights with him in the 2016 NA LCS, and he will hopefully still land a good spot at the 2016 Worlds Championship, according to ESPN Esports.
Will Cloud9 finally get back on track now that they had the chance to regroup with Hai? Or will Hai's medical conditions overpower his strength as a captain and shot-caller? To find out, do not miss out on any Cloud9 games, or the rest of the Season Six games, for that matter. Catch the complete 2016 NA LCS action through the LoL Esports Youtube Channel.
Week Four will begin on Saturday, Feb. 6, at 3 p.m. EST. Live stream of the event is below:
