ESIC banned coach Hunden returns to Heroic for DreamHack Masters

Coach Nicolai “⁠HUNDEN⁠“ Petersen makes his competitive return to Heroic following the completion of his suspension period imposed by the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) in 2020. This marks a significant moment in CS:GO’s ongoing efforts to maintain competitive integrity.

The Danish strategic leader officially resumes his coaching responsibilities with Heroic, as confirmed by the organization. His initial tournament back will be Dreamhack Masters Spring, scheduled from April 29 through May 9, 2021.

Nicolai ‘HUNDEN’ Petersen will be back on the server this coming weekend when Heroic participates in DreamHack Masters Spring!

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— HEROIC (@heroicgg) April 29, 2021

The 2020 Counter-Strike coaching scandal created seismic impacts throughout professional esports. Following an initial prohibition by ESL, Hunden became a primary focus for ESIC’s investigative efforts. The comprehensive inquiry conducted by ESIC in partnership with investigator Michal Slowaniski resulted in competitive bans for 37 coaches who exploited a game bug granting unauthorized overhead map visibility to spectators.

Hunden stood among the earliest coaches identified alongside Ricardo “dead” Sinigaglia. However, the Danish coach received a reduced suspension period—decreased from ten months to eight—due to his substantial cooperation with ESIC’s detailed investigation. Additionally, Valve imposed restrictions preventing his participation in five subsequent CS:GO Major championships, the premier officially-sanctioned tournaments.

Why Heroic Reinstated Hunden Despite Backlash

Rather than terminating his association entirely, Heroic maintained Hunden’s employment throughout the suspension period. The organization transitioned him to an analytical role despite the competitive ban, a decision that generated significant criticism from the competitive community. While he formally returns after serving the eight-month penalty, fan reactions remain deeply divided since he continued working under the Heroic brand during his entire suspension period.

Common organizational mistakes in similar situations include complete separation from banned personnel, but Heroic adopted a controversial retention strategy. This approach demonstrates how teams weigh competitive advantage against ethical considerations in high-stakes esports.

The Danish coach proved instrumental in Heroic’s competitive ascendancy during 2020. This strategic value explains why Casper “⁠cadiaN⁠“ Møller and the organization prioritized his retention, viewing Hunden as the critical catalyst for reclaiming the top global ranking position.

“Hunden remains integral to our organization. We’ve consistently maintained this position and will continue doing so. His contributions extend significantly beyond Heroic to benefit the entire Counter-Strike competitive landscape,” stated Chief Gaming Officer Erik Askered.

Hunden rejoins a transformed roster featuring recent additions Ismail “⁠refrezh⁠“ Ali and Rasmus “⁠sjuush⁠“ Beck, whose performances recently propelled Heroic to second-place global status following their ESL Pro League Season 13 championship victory. With Hunden’s return, the team’s primary objective involves achieving and maintaining the number one position worldwide.

“Heroic targets global supremacy and we must sustain the positive team culture developed over the past eight months,” Hunden commented.

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