Back at the beginning of the 2023 regular season, I had written an article titled “5 Players to Watch in 2023.” I guess we need to add an asterisk next to that one, because we’re past the 2023 regular season now. We’re on to Championship Weekend, where it doesn’t matter what your record was or who was a star. This is it. Championship Weekend is the next level of ultimate. Thousands of fans. Hundreds of players. Four teams. One trophy.
As all the contenders get to practicing and watching film, we’re going to go over five players who are going to step up big in Championship Weekend. This article is for two audiences. The fans, and the opposing teams. For the fans: Get ready to cheer these guys on. As for the opponents: Adjust your strategies. Try and prepare. Bundle. Up. Because these five are bringing the Chill.
1. Will Brandt
There’s only so much you can do to “prepare” for the playmaker that is Will Brandt. The Big Hog has been HUGE towards the end of the regular season and into the postseason. In the Central Division Championship game alone, he had seven assists, one goal, and 51 completions. With the loss of Andrew Roy at the beginning of the season, Brandt was looked to as someone the team could depend on. But to call him a replacement is a disservice. In just six regular season games, Brandt made 18 assists and tallied four goals and blocks apiece.
Back in December of 2022, we interviewed Brandt. In that conversation, he said he wanted to play a bigger role on the team, and make an impact as a handler. We’ve seen Brandt develop his skills, and it has certainly made a difference to this Championship Weekend-bound Wind Chill team.
Brandt’s individual ability has slotted in perfectly to the scrappy offensive line and the Minnesota system as a whole. He’s an incredibly versatile handler, being able to take each point and win it in whatever way he has to, whether it’s working the disc downfield with a fellow handler, sending it deep, or cutting up line himself. With his long wingspan and precise throws, defenders have a hard time marking him. Brandt is certainly one of the shiftier and craftier handlers at this year’s culminating event. He can slot a hammer over and in-between defenders, sling a blade down and cross field, and float perfect backhands right to his cutters.
Wind Chill fans got a taste of postseason Big Hog in their victory against Indy. But it’s safe to say that this D-III offensive player of the year is just getting started. As a handler who was born and raised in Minnesota, expect Brandt to be confident in the conditions and in front of the home crowd. As he said in our semifinal game preview, his best ultimate is yet to come. So get your tickets now, and watch the Big Hog pig out.
2. Abe Coffin
He likes to bake bread, huck discs, and win trophies. Back in our interview with Abe Coffin, we got the impression that his mind is always on the final game of the season. Not to say he doesn’t take each game, each quarter, each play, as they come. But with every game, quarter, and play, he’s working to improve and win. Right there on the field, Coffin is getting better by the second. You can’t defend him the same way twice, because he won’t give you the chance.
Coffin brings a sense of confidence and experience that has been invaluable to the team. While he has had a relatively low season numbers-wise, his impact on the field has still been felt. Plus, the lower stats compared to previous seasons can really be chalked up to the fact that an injury held him back for a month of play.
We’ve said it before on the podcast and in articles, but this Minnesota O-line has transformed itself from a scrappy, put together roster of relatively unknown players, into a unique offensive unit that has an identity. It’s hard to assign a play style, or how they approach offense, because it feels as though the Minnesota offensive line is always adapting and changing. Coffin has been a massive part of that. His leadership on the field has allowed for key plays to happen, especially when he’s working the disc into strategic positions that then allow for his team to score.
His eyes aren’t just on Championship Weekend. His eyes are on Minnesota winning that final game. Coffin’s mindset is that of a champion, one that will work with the team and his own abilities to make sure that every point he is a part on the field, he is a part of. Look for him down field, up field, left and right field. Watch the impact this player has on the field, and to the team’s success.
3. Brandon Matis
10 years. Brandon Matis has been a part of this Wind Chill team since its inception in 2013. It felt wrong to leave him off this list, as he’s been a player that the fans have been watching since the beginning. His veteran status and captainship aren’t just because he’s been around for a while. Well, okay the veteran status technically, but he’s been on the team for 10 years for a reason. Matis has worked year after year to help his team get to Championship Weekend, and now he’s done it. I’m sure he’ll be humble and credit the team, but I’m here to remind you all (and him) that he’s a crucial part of that team.
If you know me, you know I love defense. Matis is the reason why. You might also know that defensive stats aren’t always accurate, because there are no numbers to quantify presence. If there were, Matis would be at the top of the category. He has a knack for clogging up offenses that are starting to get some momentum on a point. This ability to slow down a play by even a moment or two has proven invaluable over the years. Imagine you’re an opposing offense, and you have an open cutter. You ready your throw, pump a fake and then - wait no, Matis is there. It forces offenses to make mistakes and rushed plays. That’s what he does. He disrupts. And when you take that chance, when you throw it to that cutter? Get ready for a block.
While his presence is a burden for opposing O-lines, it’s quite the boost to the Minnesota defense. Matis’ leadership on the field has helped anchor the team for years, giving consistency in a year that felt about as inconsistent as you can get. I’ve heard from countless players that Matis is a leader on and off the field. He has bought into the Wind Chill system fully, and he helps everyone succeed in their role. He’s been around, and he knows how things work. More importantly, he knows how to make things work, which will prove crucial to a team that has never made it this far before.
With the championships being brought home to Minnesota, expect Matis to add another dimension to his game. Even more than Brandt, Matis is adapted to, and thrives in, the Minnesota home atmosphere. There is no one who wants it as bad as him. He’s a dawg. He’s hungry. He’s going to make damn sure that people remember who he is and who the Minnesota Wind Chill are.
4. Tristan Van de Moortele
What happens when QB one, two, and three are all out? Tristan Van de Moortele happens. If you want a clutch player who can grit out any point, he’s your guy. He’s been an incredibly versatile player this year, coming up huge in all different aspects of the game. In just his second year on the team, Van de Moortele has racked up 18 goals, 13 assists, and 5 blocks. He’s had four separate games this year with a 100% completion rate, including against the AlleyCats just a couple weeks ago. Unfortunately, he’s been largely overlooked by the league as a whole this year, but that might be the difference when opposing teams have to match up against him.
As mentioned in the Coffin section, the Minnesota O-line went through a gauntlet to establish itself and find its footing. While that was developing, Van de Moortele wasn’t waiting around. He took the opportunity to play a style of ultimate that opponents just don’t know what to do with. I would argue that Tristan Van de Moortele is the shiftiest and craftiest player on the team. Play after play, he finds a way to get it done when it needs to be done. He’s able to play clean, textbook ultimate one second, and then make a move that you don’t see coming. Whether he’s handling, cutting, or defending, Van de Moortele is always analyzing the whole field, using all of his options and making every play work.
While his blocks are a little under the amount needed to “qualify” as a utility player, I think that is the best description of him. He’s able to slot in anywhere and be a bridge piece for all the players on the field to connect with. His adaptability was necessary this year when the team found itself without many of its more immediately recognizable playmakers, such as Coffin and Klane. The unique playstyle and craftiness of Van de Moortele made him able to click wherever the Wind Chill needed him this year. Every connection on both offense and defense is consistent and effective, making him one of the most valuable pieces to the Minnesota system. Like the oil in the engine.
In a winner-takes-all setting, grit is necessary. In the 2023 season, Tristan Van de Moortele proved he has it. It doesn’t matter if the point is 10 seconds or 10 minutes, he’ll grind it out and he won't let you out-work him. He comes in clutch whenever the team needs him to, and that will continue as Minnesota makes their run for the title. Keep your eyes out for him and the plays he makes on both sides of the disc.
5. Marty Adams
Man, I’m excited to see this guy this weekend. He’s the kind of guy to make a shoulder-height layout block, just to get up and run to take the goal himself. Adams came in as a rookie last year, and made a noticeable impact right away with 14 goals, 6 blocks, and 10 assists. Despite having a quieter season numbers-wise, Adams has still been one of the more consistent parts of the Minnesota O-line. Simply put, the dude is a crazy good cutter that adds even more to the depth of this roster.
Adams has proven himself to be a very skilled and threatening ultimate player. B-Von and Snider get a lot of looks on O-line for obvious reasons. But when they’re covered, or if he just happens to be in position, Adams is another option for handlers to dish it to. He’s able to cover great lengths of the field to chase down a disc, or cut in and keep the momentum going forward on a drive. What’s so special about Adams is his ability to take advantage of opportunities. The moment a defender gives him an inch, he’ll take it and turn it into a drive. If there’s such a thing as a snake in the grass, it’s Marty.
He makes this list because he’s a stellar player who is due for some excellence, and now is the time to do it. With all the different factors going into the weekend, it will prove incredibly valuable to have a player like Adams on the field. Every point he plays has a certain type of energy and drive that is hard for opposing teams to match. Marty is electric, and his big plays will be enjoyable for the fans, inspiring for his teammates, and devastating for his opponents. Not only will Marty Adams contribute to the Wind Chill success, but he’ll look awesome doing it.
20 Players to Watch This Weekend: Your Minnesota Wind Chill
Picking five players was impossible, because all the players at Championship Weekend are going to be there to make an impact. No matter who is on the field, look forward to cheering on your Minnesota Wind Chill. The players have told us that playing in front of the home crowd makes a difference, so get out to TCO and help give the players the ultimate home field advantage.
And for the teams traveling to Minnesota, we actually have an updated forecast for you! Expect clear skies, a high of 80, and a very strong Wind Chill.
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