It has been a busy offseason to say the least. Unfortunately, it seems that the Central Division — and the Minnesota Wind Chill most of all — have been the primary targets of offseason movements that are shaking up the league. With some key offensive players, hybrid superstars and significant supportive talent moving to the coasts or even within the Division, the outlook for 2023 is suddenly cloudy and uncertain.
Whereas I was fairly confident the Wind Chill could easily secure second or even first place in the Central Division at the end of last season, I am increasingly unsure or even nervous that either of those outcomes are any sort of guarantee. The amount and significance of offseason moves have thrust us into a scramble for certainty, and the team and Division as a whole seems to be generally weaker and more leveled than before. There are three playoff spots allotted for each Division this year, and it seems absurd to even consider Minnesota not taking one of those. But, assuming they do make the playoffs, where, exactly, will they fall in? And more interestingly, who will be joining them?
The 2023 season has not even begun and it is already exhilarating. But before it does begin, let’s look at where we stand, exactly.
Roy, Jurek to DC
One of the Wind Chill’s most significant moves comes in the loss of Andrew Roy and Cole Jurek. As I had written about in a previous article, A-Roy was a key handler who played quarterback on the team’s O-line. He had an innate ability to see the entire field and make calculated moves to advance the offense down the field. Losing his handler skills suddenly force Minnesota to find a new playmaker at the helm, and one with the confidence and coolness that Roy possesses.
Paired with the underrated cutting ability of Jurek, whose surprising vertical and downfield presence helped Minnesota edge out opponents, will hurt the team a lot. The question is, how much? And who will replace these two? Minnesota’s offense was already weak as it is, and these two pillars of the team’s O-line threaten to take out the Chill at the knees.
Ben Feldman is optimistic:
“We have a lot of blossoming young talent ready to step up in a big way in 2022,” he said. “Andrew Roy commanded a lot of touches last season, so there is opportunity for our backfield unit to step up and develop in a major way. I am excited to see Will Brandt assume a larger role, and certainly expect to see Abe playing some more offense this year as well.”
It makes sense for Coffin to step into a larger offensive role, especially with the AUDL recently announcing that the pull will now be able to be thrown from the brick mark. Coffin’s defensive assistance will be less relevant to the team suddenly, opening up options for Feldman and the O-line.
Linehan to Glory
Perhaps a slightly more surprising and equally disappointing and influential move was the recent announcement that Rocco Linehan is joining the Boston Glory this season. Linehan was an incredibly underrated player on the Wind Chill. He provided consistency no matter where he played, racking up 18 assists, 10 goals and six blocks. Linehan primarily played defense for the Chill, but his hybrid abilities proved to be incredibly valuable to the Chill as he plugged in wherever he was needed.
Not only do the movements of Roy, Jurek and Linehan directly impact the Wind Chill and weaken their offensive and defensive prowess, but they threaten the standings out East. Indirectly, this can have big ramifications late in the season and into the postseason, assuming Minnesota makes it to the final four.
Vogt Hangs Up His Cleats
Nick Vogt showed incredible promise as a star cutter for the Wind Chill. In his rookie season with the team, he scored an impressive 35 goals. His ability to grab a disc within 15 yards of himself was astounding. Vogt is a human highlight reel, flying through the air horizontally, disc at his fingertips. But after just one game in 2022, Vogt underwent an ACL surgery, his second of his career. The difficulty of recovering from such an injury twice, combined with mental strain and hesitancy to prevent future injury caused Vogt to hang up his cleats, likely for good.
Of course, the Wind Chill did not experience much of Vogt’s talent in 2022, so they are positioned to adjust slightly better than from a year ago. The team knows how they operate without the likes of Vogt downfield, which will help them plan for the 2023 campaign more effectively. This will further cement that the need for a big cutter is absolutely essential. I could almost see Marty Adams be that guy, but he has primarily been used in a defensive role.
The direct impacts to Minnesota’s offense will likely prove to be monumental. Not only is the quantity of moves exceptionally big, but the sheer significance of the specific players is salt in the wound. Suddenly, the Wind Chill are looking around and finding out they need outstanding hybrid and offensive players, and fast. I have no doubt that is what they’re looking for at tryouts, and the current lineup enables flexibility of players like Adams, Coffin and Krenik to play where they are needed. But is that enough? Will the team be able to compete at Championship Weekend with a cast of utility players? I would actually love if that was the case. I think it is very possible to put together a Moneyball-esque lineup that achieves very specific goals at specific points in the game. I just don’t know if we’re at the point where we can yet.
There are still opportunities to bring in another piece or two that will bolster the offense, particularly as receivers. Feldman alluded to a few potential signings to be announced later.
“We are still pursuing a few talents that would have a major impact for our team in 2023,” he said.
As to who specifically the team is hoping to sign, I cannot be sure. Among fans, there were rumors that Thomas Edmonds would bring his receiving abilities to the team, but we have yet to see anything official happen. I’d be surprised if they signed anyone other than a cutter, given Feldman’s confidence in his current handler set, but it is still early and the finalized roster has not been announced.
Chicago’s Offensive Shifts
Chicago is historically a scary team, and one that Minnesota has butted heads with in recent seasons. But as I’ve been reminded, Madison and Indy have also given the Union a run for their money. Both teams have put Chicago within one point, and while they were both eventual losses, those are significant games, especially going into 2023.
With the loss of star handler Pawel Janas, the Union are also without a regular captain at the head of the team. Janas’ handling skill is objectively one of the best in the history of the AUDL, and his leadership qualities are subjectively also prominent. The Union are looking to fill this role as well, and are set up to do so effectively, I think. Sam Kaminsky looks to be the rightful heir to the Union handler position. Plus, the Union recently picked up the cutting talents of Andrew Sjogren, who recorded 42 goals and more than 3,500 receiving yards in 2022.
While the Union are losing one of their flagship players, their roster is still stacked and impressive. But they did get weaker, and Indy and Madison are arguably getting stronger. And there are rumors that Chicago may experience a few more shifts before the season begins. So, does Chicago reign in 2023? I don’t think so, and I think many would agree. The question is, where do they end up? My early prediction is that the Union remain in the top 3, likely taking second place in the Division. But at this point, it is anyone’s spot and if those close games against the Radicals and AlleyCats go the other way, Chicago can quickly be knocked down to fourth place.
Madison is Making Moves
The Madison Radicals haven’t officially announced any roster signings yet, but they did name their offensive coordinator for the 2023 season: Pat Shriwise. Playing the majority of his career with the Radicals, Shriwise is an offensive machine. And he is, to my knowledge, the first official offensive coordinator in the AUDL, giving Madison a necessary boost to an offense that has been lacking against some of the bigger teams in the Division as of late.
This Shriwise Experiment, as we are calling it, will be extremely interesting in the context of the 2023 Central Division Scramble, as I just now decided to dub it. Why shouldn’t Madison knock out Chicago in a game or two this year? They did, after all, beat Minnesota last season. With a bit more organization and a captain who can guide the team’s offense, I think the Radical/Wind Chill matchups will be even more fun to watch this year, and you can bet the Chicago/Madison games will be ones to catch as well.
Indy the Dark Horse
The strongest candidate to take the Division, or at least second place, is easily the Indianapolis AlleyCats. Does that actually make them a dark horse, then? While Indy (so far) has not announced any new player acquisitions, they have already brought back their incredibly strong offensive core, including Cameron Brock, Keegan North and Levi Jacobs.
Just those three names alone are enough to make you shudder. If you are new to the league, look them up. If you aren’t new, look them up again. They’re forces to be reckoned with, and that doesn’t even include Rick Gross or Jeremy Keusch. Indy has an incredibly strong team that unfortunately has had to contend with teams like the Union and Wind Chill, who were simply stronger and oftentimes had a home field advantage.
But with both of their main opponents losing ground in raw talent this season, Indy has a real shot to take the Division. As a Wind Chill enthusiast, of course I balk at that notion. Of course they won’t! But as a sports fan with two eyes, it would by no means be considered a miracle if they did. Central Division teams need to watch out for the AlleyCats this year.
Who Is Taking the Division?
That is the question we are all asking. The 2023 Central Division Scramble is going to be a storyline I think many are going to follow this year. But of course, so will the East Division's matchups with the Breeze and Empire. And with Janas moving out West, paired with the Summit coming off a hot debut season in 2022, that will be an exciting Division to follow as well. The entire league, as it stands right now, feels both incredibly predictable and expected, and yet a few key movements, games and interdivisional matchups can change the outcome of any playoff spot.
“I like our chances,” said Feldman. “We have a hungry group here in Minnesota, chasing that division title for an opportunity to compete at Championship Weekend on home turf in August.”
The team certainly has their work cut out for them this year. If they can find reliable cutters and at least one additional handler who is confident calling plays and leading a team, then they may be positioned well to fight for first. But they won’t have many easy matchups, and with a game scheduled against the Summit in Colorado in mid-June, they have even more to focus on and prove.
As the hosts for Championship Weekend, the Chill have extra motivation to make a push, and it may be enough to get them there. But the Central Division as we know it has been shaken, stirred and flipped upside down, and right now, there is no telling what the season will bring.
Comments