Maksym “Max-Strafe” Stadniuk may be a familiar name to longtime Apex Legends Global Series fans, but a complete stranger to new fans. That’s because he hasn’t played on LAN since the ALGS returned to live events, despite qualifying for every event so far.
Split 2 ProLeague Highlights – Qualified for LAN in Germany [PassionUA/MaxStrafe]
Max-Strafe has been unable to leave his native Ukraine for the past few years due to the Russian invasion of the country. Despite this, he has never been far from the top of EMEA, helping his old teammates Casper "Gnaske" Præstensgaard and Matthew "SirDel" Biggins qualify for LAN as Team GMT and Pioneers. On those occasions, however, his teammates were forced to field substitutes on LAN when Max-Strafe's attempts to leave the country were unsuccessful. But together with Ukrainian team PassionUA, Max-Strafe is finally on LAN, and he is more than ready to make his mark.
“I feel great,” Max-Strafe told Dot Esports ahead of the 2024 ALGS Split One Playoffs, the relief and joy of finally being at LAN etched on his face. “I’m a LAN player. I’ve always wanted to compete, especially at LANs. That was always my main goal.”
Max-Strafe’s journey to LAN is inextricably linked to Ukraine, even when he eventually managed to leave the country. He’s signed for an all-Ukrainian team and now represents PassionUA, an organization founded by Ukrainian and Arsenal football star Oleksandr Zinchenko. The connection with PassionUA eventually allowed him and his teammates to leave the country for work, Max-Strafe explained to Dot Esports, although there were several times when it felt like the trip wouldn’t happen.
