November 14, 2024
By Adam Ruffner
Just three days after signing James Pollard, the reigning champion Minnesota Wind Chill struck again in free agency, this time adding two-time All Defense selection Justin Burnett for the 2025 season. Burnett was the recipient of the Callahan award in 2023, college ultimate’s highest individual honor, and accumulated 42 blocks in 28 career starts for the Atlanta Hustle over the past three seasons. Now stocked with two of the best playmakers in the entire league, the Wind Chill figure to improve upon a D-line that was already top four in the UFA last season.
Even while tasked with defending top offensive performers on a nightly basis, Burnett has already shown himself to be one of the best block getters in league history. He’s one of just 20 players to start a minimum of 25 games in their career and average at least 1.5 blocks per game, and he has eight multi-block games in his last two seasons alone; not only is Burnett explosive, he’s consistent, with at least one block registered in 17 of his last 19 starts. And in Atlanta’s colossal victory over New York to end the Empire’s historic win streak back in May, Burnett was instrumental in coverage and on the counterattack.
“Halloween may be over but scary hours are just starting for the Central Division,” said Burnett on his signing with Minnesota. “James and I are about to be a problem, it’s really that simple.”
The Wind Chill have ranked in the top three in the league blocks per game every season since 2019, and figure to retain much of their title winning defense from this year. 11-year veteran Brandon Matis led the team with 15 blocks in 2024, while five other Wind Chill players—Matt Rehder, Noah Hanson, Cameron Lacy, Thomas Shope, and Tristan Van de Moortele—finished with double digit takeaways. Pollard led Philadelphia this past season in blocks, while Burnett has had 10 or more in all three seasons as a pro.
“Burnett is a star anywhere he plays, and I expect him to feast in our defensive system,” Minnesota Head Coach Ben Feldman said of the addition. “Our fans at Sea Foam Stadium are in for a real treat.”
