Twistzz Ranked 11th in HLTV Top 20 Players of 2025

Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken ranks 11th in HLTV’s Top 20 Players of 2025 — marking his sixth career appearance on the list

Canadian rifler Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken finished the year as the 11th best player in HLTV’s annual Top 20 Players of the Year ranking for 2025 — his sixth overall appearance on the prestigious list. This ties with his second-best placing in the history of these rankings, and caps off a season defined by strong individual numbers and key performances despite mixed team results. 

Twistzz’s presence in the Top 20 once again underlines his status as one of Counter-Strike’s most consistent performers. He first appeared on the list in 2018 (No. 12) during his breakout with Team Liquid, and has since been featured repeatedly: most notably ninth in 2019, 17th in 2021, 11th in 2022, and 20th in 2023. 

Why #11? Exceptional late-season performance and strong stats

HLTV highlighted Twistzz’s powerful finish to the 2025 season as the main reason for his high ranking. After a somewhat uneven first half of the year, his play peaked in the latter stages with standout showings that earned him three Exceptionally Valuable Player (EVP) awards — one each at FISSURE Playground 2, ESL Pro League Season 22 (where he topped the event in rating), and the StarLadder Budapest Major. 

Individually, he delivered a 1.17 overall rating against top competition, held up under pressure with a 1.23 rating in elimination scenarios, and consistently finished among his team’s most impactful stars. 

These figures are testament to an elite level of play. His year also included standout contributions that helped his teams reach playoff brackets in events like ESL Pro League Season 21 and IEM Melbourne, where he often led his squads in key stats. 

Team rides and mid-season changes

Twistzz’s 2025 journey was marked by both individual highs and team volatility. After beginning the year with Liquid, Twistzz and the roster faced uneven results in several high-tier LAN events, struggling to consistently progress deep into brackets. Yet, his personal performance metrics — including impact statistics across offensive metrics like kills per round, ADR, and round win contributions — remained strong enough to keep him among the elite. 

A mid-season move saw him return to FaZe Clan, where he reunited with longtime teammates and immediately made an impact. His play there was instrumental in the team’s positive results in the late season and contributed heavily to his Top 20 placement. 

Career context: a North American staple

At 26 years old, Twistzz has established himself as one of the most decorated North American Counter-Strike players of this decade. From his landmark victory at the Antwerp Major 2022 with FaZe Clan to multiple deep runs across top global tournaments, he has been a fixture at the highest level of competition. 

By finishing No. 11, Twistzz also becomes the first Canadian to consistently rank this high across multiple years, building on his legacy as a perennial star and one of the few players to make the HLTV Top 20 in more than five separate seasons. 

Recognition and reaction

HLTV’s Top 20 list is widely regarded as one of the most authoritative annual measures of individual excellence in professional Counter-Strike. It takes into account multiple factors such as statistical performance, MVP/EVP awards, and event prestige — meaning Twistzz’s placement reflects not just raw numbers, but impact relative to the highest-tier opponents and tournament stages. 

While some community members have debated his final placement — with opinions ranging on how team outcomes should weigh against individual output — the overall consensus remains that Twistzz’s 2025 was worthy of elite recognition. 

Looking ahead

As 2026 begins, Twistzz’s ranking sets the stage for continued expectations of excellence. At his best, he remains one of Counter-Strike’s most feared riflers — capable of dominating games, turning around rounds, and elevating his team’s performance against the very best in the world.