GamerLegion Names shalfey as Counter-Strike 2 IGL After Benching Snax
Snax said he asked head coach imd to find his replacement six weeks before the benching, and shalfey is scheduled to debut against ENVY at the Tesla Cup 2026.
GamerLegion has named Aleksandr “shalfey” Marenov as its new Counter-Strike 2 in-game leader, filling the role left open when Janusz “Snax” Pogorzelski moved to the bench. Shalfey is scheduled to debut against ENVY at the Tesla Cup 2026, where GamerLegion is grouped with Luminosity and HOTU.
Today, we have to share that Snax will move out of the active roster.
You’ve given us so many moments to remember, from our unforgettable playoff run at BLAST Rivals to reaching the grand final of IEM Atlanta. Thank you for your leadership and everything you’ve brought to the… pic.twitter.com/yx0QabebWh
— GamerLegion (@GamerLegion) October 21, 2026
Snax said he had asked head coach Adrian, known in-game as imd, to start looking for his replacement about six weeks before the benching. With two months left on his contract, he found it hard to focus on professional play and help his teammates. He said he would have helped finish the season if the search had not worked out, but now plans to take a break from competition and has not ruled out returning later.
siemanko, wypada cos napisac
Moj kontrakt konczy sie juz za dwa miesiace, a ja czuje, ze ten sezon dal mi ostro w kosc. Ciezko bylo mi sie dalej skupic na profesjonalnej grze i pomagac chlopakom, wiec jakies poltora miesiaca temu poprosilem Adriana, zeby zaczeli szukac kogos za… pic.twitter.com/7KfLPPkpSg
— Snax (@cios_snax) October 22, 2026
Snax also praised imd’s work and asked fans not to blame the coach for the situation. GamerLegion’s announcement naming shalfey as its new IGL confirmed his Tesla Cup debut.
This is Snax’s second stint with GamerLegion. He captained the team from September 2023 through July 2024, then returned in December 2025. After his return, GamerLegion reached the BLAST Rivals semifinals and finished second at IEM Atlanta.
Results later declined. GamerLegion went 0-3 in Stage 2 in Cologne, and PR moved to MOUZ. The team’s VRS position fell from ninth in June to 42nd around the time Snax was benched, then to 44th in the newer ranking. GamerLegion is now effectively out of contention for PGL Major Singapore.
Roster disruption added to the pressure. Tauson missed the IEM Beijing qualifier for health reasons, Snax missed FPG 3 because of travel problems, and REZ missed Logitech G Play Connect after food poisoning. Across recent weeks, kRaSnaL, Grashog, and maden filled in during absences for REZ, Tauson, and Snax.
GamerLegion’s active lineup is now REZ, Tauson, FL4MUS, and hypex, with shalfey taking over the in-game calls and imd remaining as coach. Shalfey is a former 9 Pandas IGL who had been playing without an organization since August.
Can shalfey help steady GamerLegion after a season of roster disruption? Follow the team’s progress at the Tesla Cup and its search for stronger results on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, Steam, and Telegram.
