by FlyQuest are reported to be on the verge of recruiting DRX’s world champion head coach, Kim “Ssong” Sang-soo, ahead of the 2023 League of Legend Championship Series (LCS) season.
According to the esports global contract database, Ssong’s contract with DRX came to an end a couple of weeks ago. The same holds true for the rest of the Korean esports team’s roster and staff, whose contracts ended in late November.
Against all odds, Ssong and his assistant coach, Lee “Mowgli” Jae-ha, led DRX to victory at the 2022 LoL World Championship, culminating in a five-game win against T1 in the grand finals in San Francisco.
This is not Ssong’s first venture into the LCS. The veteran played as a mid laner in 2012 under the banner of Najin Black Sword and made an appearance at the World Championship that year.
He then went on to coach the ROX Tigers in 2016 and led the team to a summer title in the LCK. The following year, he guided Immortals to their first and only Worlds berth. Ssong continued to coach in North America, working with teams such as TSM, Echo Fox, and CLG, before returning to South Korea to join DRX’s coaching staff prior to the 2021 LCK Spring Split.
FlyQuest have undergone significant changes to their roster and front office. Christopher “PapaSmithy” Smith — who previously worked as the general manager of 100 Thieves — has taken over as President and Chief Gaming Officer, while Brian Anderson was recently installed as Chief Executive Officer.
With the recent acquisition by the owner of the National Hockey League’s Florida Panthers, the Viola family, FlyQuest are utilizing their newfound financial resources to rebuild their roster. They decided to part with most of their 2022 roster, which included popular players such as jungler Brandon “Josedeodo” Joel Villegas and mid laner Lo?c “Toucouille” Dubois.
Ahead of the upcoming season, FlyQuest have added some formidable players to their roster, including Bill “Eyla” Nguyen from the Team Liquid Academy. The emerging support player is considered one of the best prospects in the region due to his dominant performances in North America’s amateur ranks.
The mid lane will be occupied by Lee “VicLa” Dae-Kwang, who was named the 2022 LCK Rookie of the Year. Former Liiv SANDBOX AD carry Lee “Prince” Chae-hwan, who has earned LCK All-Pro honors in two of his last three splits, will also be joining the team. The only player retained from the 2022 roster is the Canadian top laner Philip “Philip” Zeng, who was earlier promoted from the organization’s academy roster.
Former Evil Geniuses top laner Jeong “Impact” Eon-young and former TSM jungler Spica are reportedly set to join FlyQuest in the coming days.
