2025 Players to Watch: Wind Chill

It’s that time of the year again. We are counting down the final days until the start of the 2025 season and with that, we are getting ready to watch some Wind Chill games. It doesn’t matter if you’re new to watching the Wind Chill, or are a returning fan, this year’s team is going to look a little different than years past.

Which is why today I will be counting down the top five players to watch this season. 

#5 Gordon Larson (18)

Last season, Gordon Larson really made a name for himself. Playing in 9 regular season games, and all postseason games, Larson put up an impressive +/- of +45. Racking up a combined 28 goals and 27 assists, he can be lethal both in the endzone and getting the disc into it. 

In several games, Gordon Larson had a massive momentum shifting play. Whether it be an impressive display of athleticism, catching a disc in the middle of several defenders, or finding an open player in an otherwise crowded field, Larson looked great last year and we expect him to do the same in 2025. 

Not only can he shift the momentum of a game, but he always leaves it all on the field. In Minnesota’s blowout loss to the Empire, Larson kept playing like the Chill were always just one point behind. This attitude definitely helped win some tight games last year, including a 1 point win over Chicago, where he scored 4 points and had a 100% completion percentage on 20 throws. 

This year, the competition in the Central will be closer, with the Chicago Union building a super team, and the Madison Radicals returning a lot of familiar faces, Gordon Larson will be crucial in helping win some big games down the stretch. 

#4 Sam Berglund (19)

Almost the exact opposite of Larson, Berglund played next to no time last season. Suffering an early season injury, one of the best pullers in the league was out for 9 games, only returning to play against Detroit to finish out the regular season and Madison in the playoffs. Berglund did not play at Championship Weekend. 

So why is he on this list? Because in 2023, he was the best puller in the league. Putting up 136 pulls in the regular season, 94.4% of which landed in bounds, and with an average hang time of 8.64 seconds. In the postseason he was even better. Landing 25 out of 25 in bounds and barely decreasing the hangtime (8.47 seconds), Berglund was instrumental in getting Minnesota to their first Championship Weekend appearance and was a major reason they fared so well against Salt Lake in the semi-finals.

This year, we are hoping for a strong return. It is said that after winning a championship, teams can go into a slump. This season can determine if Minnesota becomes a dynasty or if they were a one-hit wonder. Berglund’s return could tip the balance in the favor of the former. 

#3 Justin Burnett (5)

Bringing in new players to keep a team fresh is always a good idea, and Justin Burnett just seems like the correct pick. Coming from the Atlanta Hustle, Burnett is entering his 4th year in the league. He is a solid journeyman who will add to Minnesota’s defensive depth. 

Similar to Berglund, 2023 was Burnett’s best season so far. Putting up an astounding 20 blocks, Burnett was an offense’s worst nightmare. He did this while also scoring 9 points and dishing out 9 assists in the regular season, while only playing 3 points of offense. Not only can Burnett generate turnovers, he can capitalize on them too, playing both sides of the disc to help propel his team forward. This isn’t to say that 2024 was a bad year for Burnett. He played fewer games and still put up double digits in blocks and goals, with a final +/- of +25.

Burnett also knows heartbreak better than most in this sport. Losing the South Division title by 1 point to the Austin Sol in double overtime back in 2023, and losing the division by 1 point yet again in 2024. Burnett has come so close to Championship Weekend, but has never made it there. His addition to the team could add a renewed flame, and help get the team through the championship hangover. 

Burnett will almost certainly miss time this season due to playing on the U24 team, representing the United States in the Open Division. Hopefully he will be on the field to face his former team on May 30th. When he is playing for the Wind Chill, expect big plays and game defining moments. In a division where defense is king, Burnett will undoubtedly be fundamental in helping Minnesota try and bring home the crown. 

#2 Tristan Van de Moortele (99)

Tristan VDM is the newest captain of the Minnesota Wind Chill squad. He has been a key handler for them in many games and has a fire in him that is visible. When coming off of the field after a big point, you can always see the hunger in his eyes. He would play every point if Feldman let him. 

Van de Moortele is the ultimate utility player. Being able to play both sides of the disc, he fits perfectly into almost any offensive or defensive line. In 2024, he played 75 points of offense and 144 of defense. He generated 9 blocks, threw 26 assists, and was found in the endzone 6 times. Not to mention that he threw 33 pulls last season, landing 100% in bounds and had a hangtime of 9.44 seconds. He forces teams into uncomfortable situations and trusts himself and his team to capitalize on them. 

But beyond just those numbers, he is an on field leader. He leads the team down field, knowing when to make a forward pass, and when to settle for a reset. He rarely lets the pressure get to him and still manages to play with an almost unparalleled ferocity. When he is on the field, the disc moves through him. The team trusts him to make the right call, and he so often does. In a year where Minnesota will have many new challenges, we can all trust Van de Moortele to be stepping up to them. 

Honorable Mentions:

There are a few players I think you should keep an eye on who didn’t quite make the top five. So here are my honorable mentions:

Noah Hanson (4)

Hanson had some game changing blocks last season, both in the regular season and in the playoffs. Expect more high level defense when he takes the field.

Bryan Vohnoutka (3)

A perennial team MVP favorite, BVon is always instrumental in getting the disc into the endzone. The only question is whether he is making a highlight grab or a highlight throw. 

Ian McCosky (Radicals)

A player not even on the Chill anymore, but one to look out for when Minnesota cleats up against Madison this year. The Radicals are still looking to be a dark horse playoff threat, and he brings with him knowledge of Minnesota’s game. 

Now, without further ado, the number one player to watch from the Minnesota Wind Chill

#1 Big Game James Pollard (17)

The number one spot was always going to be James Pollard. Pollard coming to the Wind Chill was a surprise to many, and one of the biggest moves of the offseason. But it was a move that makes sense for all parties involved. A championship team looking to build into a dynasty, Pollard will add a lot to Minnesota. We expect him to play on defense, but Feldman has been known to shake up the status quo and Pollard does have a fair amount of offensive experience. Wherever he plays, we know he will make an impact. 

Last season, Pollard split his time, playing 115 points on defense and 113 on offense. He scored 20 times, put up 16 assists, and found 15 blocks. And that wasn’t even his best season. Not only does Pollard bring a lot of offensive and defensive output, but he also brings in another veteran presence as well as a deep understanding of the game. He makes big moments happen because he is aware of when they can happen, and how to bring them about. 

Pollard has mentioned in interviews that he does eventually plan on going back to the Phoenix in the future, perhaps even after this season, so he is looking to get championship caliber experience to bring back with him. And what better way to do that than to bring home a championship in Minnesota. 

Pollard is a big game hunter, playing some of his best ultimate when it matters the most. This year, playing for Minnesota, he will have ample opportunity for those big games. He’ll be a player to have your eyes on in key matchups, including against Chicago, Madison, and in both out of division games against the Hustle and Shred. And when the postseason comes around, Pollard will make things extra Chilly this year. 

2025 Season

While these may be the top five players to watch, that doesn’t mean they will be the only ones making an impact. This season will come with all sorts of challenges. Players will miss games and teams will capitalize on Minnesota’s weaknesses. It will take every player to take this team from champions to dynasty. But these five are a pretty good start.