“It’s like ‘player chatter,’ but worse.” - Me, when I told the guys what I’m titling this article.
Throughout the 2023 regular season, the AUDL released a weekly article titled "Player Chatter." The goal was to step aside and let the athletes across the league voice their opinions, predictions, smack talk, and various other thoughts they wanted to share.
With the Central Division Championship game just around the corner, the energy is high and the Wind Chill players are buzzing. Let’s hear what they have to say:
Who’s this year’s All-Star player?
“B-Von. Should be league MVP” - Jimmy Kittlesen
“B-Von, Tristan Van de Moortele, or Sam Berglund. B-Von for obvious reasons, he’s a very complete player and just balls out at all times, Tristan because he is the motor of our D-line and when he crossed over to offense, he held it down for multiple games against challenging opponents, and Berglund because he has been a huge part of our defense’s success this season with his pulls.” - Paul Krenik
“Such a tough one but I’m going either B-Von or Dylan [DeClerck].” - Quinn Snider
“Dylan DeClerck. Endless motor, adaptable defender. He makes playing defense easier for everyone else on the line. He’s always looking to help and switch and he’s a good communicator. When we get the disc, he’s got the legs to churn yardage and he doesn’t turn the disc over. I have loved playing with him this season” - Tanner Barcus
“I think it’s gotta be B-Von for All-Star. He is catching goals, throwing goals, playing both ways, keeping turns low. He’s having a great year and leading in so many ways.” - Colin Berry
“I know this is a total Miss America answer, but we've been so good from top to bottom this year, it's hard to pick someone. I don't think any one person has stood out as a runaway all-star. Will Brandt, Colin Berry, and Dylan DeClerck have been even better than expected this year, so they'd get my nod.” - Brandon Matis
“Dylan and B-Von.” - Ian McCosky
What’s your message to Indianapolis as they travel to Minnesota?
“It's gonna be a bad day to be an alley kitten.” - Quinn Snider
“Come to Surly after game for free beer, it'll dull the pain” - Jimmy Kittlesen
“‘Good luck!’ (credit the Big Ticket aka the Big Hog Will Brandt)” - Tanner Barcus
“There's no place like Foam.” - Brandon Matis
“I’m not one for talking beforehand, but I hope they get here and back safely.” - Colin Berry
“I don’t really have a message for Indy, I’m just excited for the game hahaha.” - Paul Krenik
What is one thing the team is focusing on as they head into their first ever home divisional championship?
“Ahead of the game, we're really trying to dial in a couple of defensive sets (can't give away the secret sauce) and hone in on chemistry. We just want to be able to help each other out on the field more and clean how we play as a unit. It's all minor tweaks to take things from good to really good.” - Brandon Matis
“Polishing our sets, building camaraderie within the team. Working to be as prepared as possible so we can feel comfortable when things get tight” - Tanner Barcus
“Everyone [being] on the same page with marks & play calls. Can't afford any miscommunications” - Jimmy Kittlesen
“Harnessing emotions and channeling our excitement and the energy of the crowd and using it to our advantage. Playing smart, composed and playing our game. Getting off to a good start is a focus as well.” - Quinn Snider
“Defending home turf. If we are going to achieve what we want to achieve, we have to win games in Minnesota.” - Colin Berry
“We’re pretty much focusing on staying true to ourselves and playing as a team.” - Ian McCosky
“Our focus for the divisional championship is execution. We have some flux in our roster from game to game. But when it comes down to a single game our execution of our systems will tell the tale.” - B-Von
What has been the biggest challenge so far this year?
“Biggest challenge so far this year has been the inconsistency in game to game rosters. With injuries, college, and what have you we’ve had to rely on a lot of depth which has really been a bright spot for us and led us to where we are today. But down the stretch here we want to have consistent lines so we can make a run in the playoffs.” - Quinn Snider
“I think logistically it’s been managing injuries in our offensive backfield. There were games where we didn't have Abe, Will Brandt, Tschida, or Klane at the same time. That’s the whole backfield rotation for our offense.” - Colin Berry
“We've had a bit of a revolving door on our offensive unit between availability, injury, etc. That makes it really hard for that unit to play consistently. I'm proud of us for being able to battle through that and still win most games this year, but it has caused some ugliness in games.” - Brandon Matis
“Playing through injuries and availability week-to-week. Being adaptable moving people in and out of the lineup and between different positions and lines” -Tanner Barcus
“Adapting to other stadiums conditions, #Sea foam is home sweet home” - Jimmy Kittlesen
“We’ve had a lot of injuries, so getting chemistry with every line has been a challenge.” - Ian McCosky
What’s the best celebration we’ve seen so far, and who’s going to have the best one in the postseason?
“Best celly (without even trying) was B-Von’s against the alley cats at home when he had that unreal layout grab and in one motion hopped to his feet and then was somehow in the air and spiking it before you could even comprehend the grab he just made. I think Klane is going to have the best celly of the postseason.” -Quinn Snider
“I think the best celebration we’ve seen so far is either when Matis pulled a backflip out of nowhere or the handshake that Ian and I had.” - Paul Krenik
“Dylan DeClerck, break goggles. Ride the wave, baby!” - Tanner Barcus
“It has to be my backflip, right? It's literally the only thing people asked me about after the game. AND none of my team knew I could do it even though I'm a 10-year vet. Surprise factor unmatched. If I had to guess who will have the best celly in the playoffs, it'll either be Tanner Barcus or Dylan DeClerck.” - Brandon Matis
“I liked Tanner's Cat celebration but the Matis backflip was cool and probably my vote for best one yet. PK is definitely underrated on his celly's look for him to do something entertaining in the postseason.” - B-Von
“I think the best celebration has to be the B-Von full extension layout into jump spike combo at home earlier this year. I was really close so I had a great view and he was so seamless going from bidding to jumping in the air. Impressive stuff. No idea about the postseason. Prolly Matis or Bert.” - Colin Berry
(Photos by Rich Moll)
Give me one word to describe the team’s attitude and mindset heading into the postseason.
“dawgs.” - Ian McCosky
“Hungry!” - Jimmy Kittlesen
“Execution” - Tanner Barcus
“Controllables.” - Colin Berry
“Dialled.” - Quinn Snider
What are your four teams at Championship Weekend? Who wins it all?
“WINdchill, Breeze, Shred, Hustle. WINdchill takes it home, at home.” - Tanner Barcus
“Chill, Breeze, Shred, Sol.” - Ian McCosky
“Minnesota, Austin, salt lake, empire Minnesota takes it with the home crowd at our backs.” - Quinn Snider
“Chalk—all four one-seeds advance. We'll leave it there for now. One game at a time :)” - Brandon Matis
Favorite moment from the 2023 regular season?
“It’s gotta be us going 11/12 on coin flips over the regular season. I don’t know what the odds are on that but I’m pretty sure they are small.” - Colin Berry
“Fav moment would have to be playing with my college teammates in the pro scene.” - Ian McCosky
“Our bus trip home from our season opener in Indy. Great kickoff to the season with a come from behind win that really set the stage for the season and great team bonding.” - Quinn Snider
“[The] Pittsburgh game we showed to the league we're taking full advantage of the new pulling rule changes.” - Jimmy Kittlesen
“So far I think it's winning the game against Chicago to secure the one seed. They've been on the better side of the rivalry for a few years. Nice to beat that opponent in that way with everything that was on the line.” - Brandon Matis
“Week one at Indy, our defensive stand to close out the 4th quarter. Setting the tone for the season from the jump.” - Tanner Barcus
How has the team changed since the start of the season?
“A lot of what we thought we'd be good at early in the season kinda went out the window after playing some games and with personnel changes. I think we've been smarter about the deep looks we take offensively. Defensively, we really worked on adding new sets—more than in years past when we would just win matchups.” - Brandon Matis
“I think the team as a whole has become more mentally tough in games and just an overwhelming amount of commitment to right the ship after a loss. Digging in deep to not just get better personally but as a team as a whole.” - Quinn Snider
“We’ve built a lot of confidence in our game planning and have a good understanding of what we’re good at. We’ve cut out most of the fat and do a good job of playing to our strengths.” - Tanner Barcus
“Our team has had to practice and improve our resilience throughout the year. We had to keep our head above water while having injuries on both offense and defense.” - Colin Berry
Talk some smack, give me some hot takes/opinions.
“If we play Empire, Jagt doesn't score a single goal 🕶️” - Jimmy Kittlesen
“I really would not want to come into Minneapolis with a sold out crowd and play against us. AlleyCats may be better off bringing a completely new roster after their last outing at sea foam with the game they put forward. It’s gonna be a bunch of kittens going against a full team of dawgs.” - Quinn Snider
“A hot take that I have is that Sam Berglund is far and away the rookie of the year in the central division and at least top two or three in the AUDL. His pulls have been the best in the league which has propelled Wind Chill to the top of the Central division and in a good place to make it to Championship Weekend.” - Paul Krenik
“Indy is really good! They do a great job of putting their players in position to succeed and optimize their roster week in and week out. I have a ton of respect for their collective buy-in and investment. We’ve yet to play them at their full strength, definitely expecting that to change during the division championship game.” - Tanner Barcus
Anything to say to the fans?
“Every ticket you buy gets Ben Feldman’s family one step closer to seeing Disney on Ice.” - Tanner Barcus
“We look forward to having the loudest and rowdiest crowd ever at Sea Foam on the 12th. See you there!”- B-Von
“To the fans: we love you and we can’t wait to show you what we’ve been working on in the divisional championship game!!” - Paul Krenik
“Show out! The Sea Foam advantage is real, and it's because of y'all. If we can get Sea Foam buzzing all game, it's going to really help us finally win this round! Can't wait to share this experience with you all.” - Brandon Matis
“Bring the energy, bring the noise, you have no idea how much of an impact it makes on the field point in and point out. We love and appreciate the support and plan on taking care of business on Saturday August 12. Let’s sell out Sea Foam and take this thing to TCO stadium. There’s no place like foam.” - Quinn Snider
“To the fans: we love you. I hear my name loud and clear whenever the game takes me anywhere near the beer garden and I can always hear them being hella creative with their heckles at the opposing team. Top tier work, keep that up.” - Colin Berry
Other comments:
“Wind Chill wiiiiiiiiiiiiin!” -Tanner Barcus
There you have it. Straight from the mouths (or, I guess the typing hands) of the Wind Chill players we all know and love.
The goal is to bring the franchise to its first ever championship weekend here in Minnesota. But before that, the Chill will have to do more than just talk this Saturday, 8/12 as they host the AlleyCats.
Secure your tickets to the matchup against Indianapolis and get ready for one of the best games you'll ever see!
And a special thank you to the Wind Chill players who allowed me to use their answers in this article. You guys are amazing.
I love the clever article, Caine! The boys are buzzing and I can hardly wait for Saturday!