After a slow start to the OPL off-season, four-time champions Dire Wolves have looked to get out early to secure their picks, announcing the majority of their roster on December 3.
The biggest capture for the Dire Wolves that will raise a few eyebrows is the former Wolfpack member returning to his old stomping ground, Ryan “Chippys” Short – an OPL MVP back when he was on the Dire Wolves squad from 2016 to 2018, and will be hoping to relive his glory days.
“Returning to Dire Wolves, the organisation I had the most success with gives me a lot of confidence for the future, I know for sure I’m still a player capable of claiming multiple titles a year, and now I’ve been given the opportunity to show it.”
Ryan ‘Chippys’ Short
The top side of the map is rounded out by picking up the previous Avant Gaming jungle-mid duo of Mir “Mir” Park (previously Miru) and Ari “Shok” Greene-Young. Synergy across that half of the map will be what the Dire Wolves will be banking on hoping to start the season off strongly while other teams spend time gelling together.
The last confirmed signing is for the support role, picking up Daniel ‘Decoy’ Ealam from Gravitas. It will be Decoy’s first split since 2017 without the guidance of Julian “Raid” Skordos, with the ADC retiring from pro play.
ROSTER UPDATE: We are proud to announce @Miru052411 as our Jungler🤗
— LG Dire Wolves (@DireWolves) December 3, 2019
"I'm happy to be part of the 2020 Dire Wolves. I'll win this year. Thank you!"#DWWIN #Wolfpack l @OPL #IAMOPL
(Pending Riot Approval) pic.twitter.com/1zDHGupbog
Snowball understands that currently no one has filled the ADC slot for the four-time title winning org, but it’s rumoured that a Korean import could be on the way to fill the void.
They will led by Ben “Kai” Stewart, with the former Avant Gaming and Dire Cubs coach being promoted back up into the big leagues. Long-time staff members Nathan “Rippii” Mott and Curtis “Sharp” Morgan have left the organization to pursue other opportunities.
While its too early in the off-season to tell where this Dire Wolves roster will stack up, the storied organisation will be hoping to build from their performances last year and make a run for gauntlet.
