CLG Link traded to Cloud 9 - will sub for All-Stars

This article was originally published on GameSpot's sister site onGamers.com, which was dedicated to esports coverage.

On Monday, Cloud 9 announced that Hai 'Hai' Lam will miss All-Stars due to a collapsed lung. Counter Logic Gaming's midlaner, Austin 'Link' Shin, will substitute for him at the event in Paris, France.

In a press statement, Counter Logic Gaming's General Manager, Kelby May said the following:

"When we heard the news about Hai, the team was deeply concerned for his well-being"

May continued: “It was also unfortunate that we would not be able to see C9 HyperX perform at their best after the immense amount of practice we know they have put in for the upcoming tournament. I reached out to Jack immediately to see if there was anything CLG could do to help, and fortunately in working with Riot, we were able to find a way to provide support for C9 HyperX as they look to represent the growing strength of the North American region.”

Cloud 9 Owner and General Manager Jack Etienne went on to say:

“We were devastated by the news that Hai wouldn’t be able to travel to Paris as it’s been our goal all year to be a part of All-Stars and play against some of the best teams in the world. We’re extremely thankful to CLG, who reached out to offer Link in our time of need, and to Riot who worked hard to process this trade quickly so we could start scrimming immediately.”

ESports Manager at Riot Games, Nick Allen says "this trade aligns with LCS rules and procedures"

"Normally we wouldn’t approve a player transaction of this nature, as we don’t want to see so-called ‘super teams’ forming before major events. Under these very unfortunate circumstances, we thought it important to aim for the highest level of competition possible, as locking Cloud 9 into All-Stars with a less competitive roster would be doing both fans, and the team, a disservice for such a monumental event. Additionally, this trade aligns with LCS rules and procedures and has been approved by LCS officials.

As a side note, our LCS rules state that teams must wait 3 weeks before they are able to make a player tradeback. Because of the timing of the NA LCS summer split, Cloud 9 and CLG are able to make this trade and still tradeback before the start of the LCS."

Shin has moved to the Cloud 9 house in Santa Monica to begin training. The first All-Star game will take place on Thursday, May 8th.

Shin will return to the CLG roster on May 20th.

Image Credit: Riot Games, Counter Logic Gaming