Not only is Canada home to one of the most exciting game development sectors in the world, but it’s also home to a ton of people who call themselves professional gamers.
From poker tables to virtual battlefields and chessboards, Canadian gamers have made their mark on the global stage. They have the skills, the strategy, and the dedication to outperform others.
Here’s a closer look at some of the most exciting professional gamers that Canada has to offer.
Daniel Negreanu: The Poker Prodigy
When it comes to poker, few names are as synonymous with the game as Daniel Negreanu. Hailing from Toronto, Negreanu is one of the most successful and recognizable poker players in the world. He’s best known for his sharp instincts, his uncanny ability to see straight through any bluff – and his magnetic personality too! Over the course of his career, Negreanu has amassed over $42 million in live tournament earnings! He is one of the top earners in poker history.
In his spare time Negreanu still enjoys the odd game of online poker. So, if you start playing online, there’s nothing to say you might not be up against him (or one of Canada’s other greats)! If you’re interested in seeing how your skills stack up at the poker table, then playing online is the easiest way to get started. Canadian online casino Wildz has a selection of different poker games, including the ever-popular Texas Hold’em and Caribbean Stud Poker.
TenZ: The Valorant Virtuoso
From a game that dates back thousands of years to a phenomenon that’s been going for barely 10 years, the world of esports! Few players have risen to prominence as quickly and decisively as Tyson “TenZ” Ngo. Hailing from Vancouver, TenZ is arguably one of the best Valorant players in the whole world. His journey to stardom actually started in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS: GO), but it was in Riot Games’ tactical shooter Valorant that TenZ truly found his calling.
To get to the top it takes remarkable mechanical skill and the wherewithal to innovate. TenZ has both, making him a fan favourite and a feared opponent in equal parts. He helped the Sentinels to victory at the 2021 VCT Masters in Reykjavik (the first ever international Valorant tournament). Plus, his streams allow him to teach people how to play, inspiring the next generation of Canadian esports stars.
Eric Hansen: The Chess Champion
Ok, chess might not be quite as ‘sexy’ as some of the other options on the list, but Grandmaster Eric Hansen has certainly been making the ultimate test of logic seem a whole lot more approachable lately. Hansen is perhaps best known for his work as a content creator and streamer, where he co-founded the Chessbrah channel on Twitch. The channel has become one of the most popular chess streams in the world! It attracts a huge audience thanks to its unique blend of super high-level chess analysis and hilariously entertaining commentary.
Eric Hansen was born in Calgary and is one of Canada’s strongest chess players. He has a really unique style of play that’s aggressive and dynamic. It often leads to very short games (and the occasional upset) but makes for an interesting watch. He’s been a Grandmaster since 2013 and has represented Canada more than once on the world stage.
Alpharad: The Multitalented Content Creator
We tend to think of professional gamers as people who make money from winning, but that’s not always the case. Alpharad is a bit of a generalist. He plays a whole slew of video games including Super Smash Bros., Mario Kart, and Pokémon. So, if he’s not winning? How is he making money?
He’s got a YouTube channel and a Twitch, where he livestreams himself playing and has hilarious banter. His YouTube videos are creative and humorous in equal parts, earning him an enormous following. His collaborative content with other players is great too, hosting tournaments and undertaking challenges, all with a gaming theme.
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