TL;DR
- Excel replaced support player Advienne with veteran Mikyx just after LEC roster lock period
- Advienne expressed professional disappointment but maintains positive relationships with team and teammates
- Mikyx joins after controversial contract negotiations left him teamless for spring split
- The timing creates significant challenges for Advienne finding new competitive opportunities
- Move highlights ongoing tension between developing talent versus acquiring established stars

In a surprising mid-season development, Excel Esports has made a dramatic roster change, replacing support player Henk “Advienne” Reijenga with seasoned veteran Mihael “Mikyx” Mehle, former Mid-Season Invitational champion. This unexpected substitution occurred despite Advienne’s ongoing development with the team.
The timing couldn’t be more challenging – coming immediately after the LEC roster lock period concluded, leaving minimal flexibility for affected players. Advienne took to social media platform Twitlonger to articulate his comprehensive perspective on this abrupt removal from Excel’s starting lineup.
League of Legends enthusiasts across Europe expressed genuine surprise at the decision. The region has long prided itself on cultivating emerging talent, making this seemingly abrupt termination of a developing player particularly controversial among Excel’s dedicated fanbase.
First day out of jail 🥷
Welcome @G2Mikyx to the LEC team 👊
*Pending riot approval pic.twitter.com/YszYhmq8ed
— GIANTX League of Legends (@GIANTXLeague) January 25, 2022
Despite clear emotional impact from the decision, Advienne demonstrated remarkable professionalism by expressing zero resentment toward Excel management, incoming player Mikyx, or any former teammates. His initial LEC appearance may not have represented the ideal debut scenario, but certainly showcased promising elements worthy of further development.
The support specialist meticulously acknowledged each individual teammate, expressing gratitude for their collaborative efforts, mutual support during matches, and extending sincere wishes for their future competitive success. This thoughtful approach reflects the maturity that many analysts believe makes him a valuable long-term prospect for any organization.
Excel esports, an unexpected end.
Read: https://t.co/ZMrHLjguxa
— Advienne (@Advienne1) January 25, 2022
Rather than viewing this setback as a career conclusion, Advienne maintains determined focus on continuing his professional journey at the highest competitive levels. Excel has granted permission for him to explore alternative opportunities, though the current landscape presents limited openings for support players at this stage of the competitive season.
The unfortunate timing – occurring so soon after roster finalization – creates exceptionally difficult circumstances for securing new competitive placement. Advienne may face extended waiting periods before finding another starting position in top-tier competition.
Mikyx’s contractual situation generated significant discussion throughout the offseason, with the player himself addressing G2 CEO Carlos Rodríguez’s comments about repeatedly reducing his buyout price. Regardless of the final negotiated amount, Excel’s management clearly considered the acquisition an irresistible opportunity.
The multi-time LEC champion possesses an impressive competitive resume, yet found himself without team placement to begin the spring split due to widespread backlash against inflated player contracts across the ecosystem.
Mikyx now joins Excel with substantial motivation to demonstrate that he retains the skill and strategic insight necessary to compete at League of Legends’ most demanding levels. His experience brings immediate credibility but also raises questions about team chemistry development with existing roster members.
This roster move highlights the ongoing tension within esports organizations between developing promising talent versus acquiring proven veterans. Excel’s decision suggests a strategic pivot toward immediate competitive results rather than long-term player development.
The timing creates ripple effects throughout the competitive ecosystem, with other teams potentially reconsidering their own roster strategies. For players like Advienne, the message is clear: performance windows can close unexpectedly in professional League of Legends.
Organizations must balance multiple factors when making mid-season changes, including fan expectations, player morale, competitive performance, and long-term strategic vision. Understanding these strategic roster decisions becomes increasingly important as the esports landscape matures.
The situation also underscores the importance of comprehensive team planning to avoid such disruptive mid-season transitions. Teams that master talent development strategies often achieve more sustainable long-term success.
Action Checklist
- Monitor roster lock deadlines and understand their impact on player mobility
- Analyze team composition balance between veteran experience and developing talent
- Research contract negotiation strategies and buyout clauses
- Evaluate long-term career planning considering potential mid-season changes
No reproduction without permission:Games Guides Website » Advienne speaks on being replaced by Mikyx at Excel Excel's sudden roster swap: Advienne out, Mikyx in - analyzing the impact on LEC competitive landscape
