The 2021 Hangzhou Spark season is the third season of Hangzhou Spark's existence in the Overwatch League. After their first two games, the Spark released head coach Hwang "paJion" Ji-sub and promoted Hwang "Andante" Jae-hong to interim head coach.
The Spark entered free agency with five free agents, all of which became free agents due to the Spark not exercising the option to retain the player for another year.[1]
Acquisitions[]
The Spark's first acquisition of the offseason was Zheng "Shy" Yangjie, a rookie damage player promoted from the team's Overwatch Contenders academy team Bilibili Gaming on October 22, 2020.[2] The team's next acquisition came on November 16 with the signing of Jia "LiGe" Chengjie, a rookie tank player coming off of a second-place finish with Team CC in Contenders China.[3] The following day, the Spark signed Lee "MCD" Jeong-ho, a rookie support player from Contenders team Element Mystic.[4] The next day, they signed Lee "Takoyaki" Young-hyun, a rookie tank player coming from Contenders team Team Diamond.[5] One days later, on November 18, Hangzhou signed Shin "Bernar" Se-won, a second-year tank player coming off of a 6–15 season with the London Spitfire.[6] The Spark's final acquisition of the offseason came on November 19 with the signing of Seo "SeoMinSoo" Min-soo, a damage player who is considered one of the best flex damage players in the league with a "very deep pool of heroes to draw from," although he did not compete in the 2020 season.[4]
Departures[]
Outside of the Spark's free agents, tank player Yu "QoQ" Sung-jun was released from the team on November 12, 2020.[7] None of the Spark's five free agents returned, three of which signed with other teams, beginning with support player Yoon "Bebe" Hee-chang signing with the Washington Justice on November 19.[8] Three days later, tank player Park "Ria" Sung-wook also signed with the Justice.[9] On March 8, 2021, damage player Chon "Ado" Gi-hyeon signed with Overwatch Contenders team RunAway.[10] Two of the Spark's free agents did not sign with a team in the 2020 offseason: damage player "Adora" Kang Jae-hwan and tank player Song "Sasin" Sang-hyun.
Regular season[]
May Melee[]
After an 0–2 start, the Spark released head coach Hwang "Pajion" Ji-sub and assistant coach Kim "nOrU" Jae-dong on April 26; Hwang "Andante" Jae-hong was promoted to interim head coach and Kim "Mentalist" Chung-in was brought on as an assistant coach.[11]