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Former professional Overwatch player and Team Liquid Overwatch and League of Legends coach, Dennis “INTERNETHULK” Hawelka has passed away at the age of 30.
Hawelka’s Overwatch career started with his founding of the professional team IDDQD. Hawelka’s keen eye for Overwatch talent was already on display with that team when he discovered some of today’s best players during the game’s infancy. Players like Timo “Taimou” Kettunen, Chrisian “Cocco” Jonsson, Jonathan “HarryHook” Tejedor Rua and Sebastian “chipshajen” Widlund, all spent time on the team and would later make up the core of Team EnvyUs, who would later become the Dallas Fuel, one of the Overwatch League’s most talented and successful teams.
Following his time as a player with EnvyUs, which ended in in April of 2017, Hawelka transitioned to coaching eventually ending up with a permanent position as the head coach for Team Liquid. When the team’s roster disbanded just a few months later, the organization was so pleased with Hawelka’s performance and attitude as a coach that they hired him to join the coaching staff of their League of Legends team for the upcoming 2018 season.
Team Liquid’s owners, Victor Goossen and Steve Arhancet released a statement, via twitter, on behalf of the team mourning the loss of their friend and teammate.
In Loving Memory, Dennis “INTERNETHULK” Hawelka pic.twitter.com/EIVfKUAQ5J
— Team Liquid (@TeamLiquid) November 9, 2017
Shortly after the announcement of his passing, many members of the Overwatch community took to social media to share memories of Hawelka and the impact he had on both the game and their lives.
Hulk was one of the first people to believe in our team and myself, caring guy that always made me feel welcome no matter the situation. Very hard news to hear. RIP hulk I love u bro
— GrimReality (@GrimRealityOW) November 9, 2017
Dennis worked hard to become a pro in LoL and finally made it with Overwatch. He told me on Skype when he was coming to Korea the first time all he wanted was to lift a trophy. Here's to you, man. You got multiples. GGWP pic.twitter.com/y1f4Scjetu
— erik lonnquist (@ggDoA) November 9, 2017
Dennis is the reason I am in the position I am. He was the one who gave me a chance to play DPS for this team back when I mained support. He told people to trust in me that I do not cheat so that I got a chance to prove myself in EnVyUs. I'll buy you beers in heaven friend. https://t.co/SC6SevHwHj
— Timo Kettunen (@DF_Taimou) November 9, 2017
Hawelka was an integral part of the earliest developments of Overwatch’s professional scene both in game and in the lives of the people he interacted with. He will be deeply missed by all within the community.