Update (Dec. 4, 2016 - 4:12pm ET): Since the time of publication, Tempo Storm chief of business development Robert Del Papa released a comment: "Freeze is indeed on the team, and he's looking excellent. I couldn't be more excited to work with a star of his [caliber]. Hatrixx is new talent that our analysts scouted from EU. We believed the mid lane and bot roles in the NACS pool were not up to par with current LCS talent and would make it difficult to promote. Freeze and Hatrixx solve that problem."
Former H2K Gaming AD carry Ales "Freeze" Knezinek and former HWA Gaming mid laner Jorgen "Hatrixx" Elgaen have signed with Tempo Storm to compete in the 2017 League of Legends North American Challenger Series, sources close to the team and the players tell ESPN.
The moves come after Tempo Storm purchased a spot in the Challenger Series from Dream Team. Tempo Storm owner and Hearthstone professional player Andrey "Reynad" Yanyuk has since confirmed the purchase on his Twitch stream.
Hatrixx of Norway and Freeze of the Czech Republic will take import slots on the team, meaning the remainder of the roster will have to be composed of North American residents, per Riot Games' interregional movement policy.
Prior to signing with Tempo Storm, Freeze competed in both the North American and European League Championship Series on teams such as Copenhagen Wolves, Renegades and H2K Gaming.
During the summer, he competed with H2K Gaming before suffering tendinitis in his wrist, an injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the year. Freeze has since recovered, according to his doctor.
I am now officially a free agent. Doctor says I'm 100% and looking forward to bigger and better things! I will not be returning to h2k
- Freeze (@FreezeLoL) November 22, 2016
Hatrixx competed on Turkish Champions League team HWA Gaming for the majority of the year. During the offseason, he took part in European Challenger Series team FC Schalke 04's Scouting Grounds event before parting to join Tempo Storm.