January 27, 2026
By Evan Lepler

The long-term forecast suggests a serious, sustained Wind Chill.

And, to be clear, I’m not talking about the weather. 

Over the past three seasons, the Minnesota Wind Chill are the only team in the Ultimate Frisbee Association that has advanced to Championship Weekend every year. They have gradually built arguably the strongest fan base in the league on the back of savvy marketing, steadily successful results, and a commitment to keep investing in their on-field product. When UFA Commish Tim DeByl called them a ‘model franchise’—a statement he made before the Chill’s first championship—he affirmed Minnesota’s stature as a rising powerhouse program, even as some still hastily dismissed the squad as a fraud. But even the staunchest doubters must feel defeated now, as the Wind Chill followed up their 2024 title with another exhilarating march to the 2025 finals. 

The few lingering skeptics are surely ready to respect Minnesota’s evolving mystique after news broke earlier today that the team has added two more ultra-elite defenders. By bringing aboard Lukas Ambrose from Seattle and Noah Coolman from Colorado, the Wind Chill have bolstered their team’s greatest strength and delivered a chilling message to every other Central contender. The division won’t be officially decided for another six months or so, but all the smart money is firmly sitting with the team from the Twin Cities. Indeed, Minnesota’s fourth consecutive trip to Championship Weekend, if not inevitable, seems extremely likely.

The newest members of the Wind Chill, Ambrose and Coolman, are staggeringly similar players and playmakers. Their dual reel of highlights over the past few seasons would be as jaw-droppingly entertaining as virtually any other premier defensive duo in the league. Combined, they’ve generated 118 blocks in the last three years. These are two guys with exceptional instincts that throw their bodies around, defy gravity, and impact winning with at least one or two momentum-swinging moments almost every night they lace up their cleats.

And it’s not like they are one-dimensional stat-stuffers either. Offensively, you could count on Ambrose or Coolman to quarterback a precious break opportunity or convert a key hold. It would be pretty surprising to see Minnesota consistently utilize these athletes on the O-line, but they each possess an explosiveness that extends far beyond just procuring blocks and breaks.

If there’s anything to critique about this news, it’s probably that the Wind Chill didn’t necessarily need to revamp their elite defense. It’s the team’s offense that was shaky and inconsistent for most of last season. Structurally, there were obvious issues, and individually, certain players struggled to find their top form. Looking forward, until Minnesota further tweaks their systems, personnel, or both, the Wind Chill will probably not be considered the consensus league-wide favorite.

But that’s clearly a small quibble. 

Beyond Boston, who beat Minnesota in the 2025 title game, there’s no other team that clearly stands above the Wind Chill on the all-important Tuesday Toss Perception Index (TTPI) heading into the ’26 season. Teams like Atlanta, Carolina, Salt Lake, and Oakland all project to have high ceilings. There are whispers that New York or San Diego could contend for a semifinal spot too. But Minnesota’s collection of dazzling defenders would match up favorably with any of these aforementioned offenses, and we’ve seen how the Wind Chill can ride their D-line to magical moments in huge games. 

Furthermore, perhaps you’ve noticed that there’s been no other mention of any other Central contender yet in this column. The Indianapolis AlleyCats have been perhaps the most charming story of the offseason, bringing back former ‘Cats like Jeremiah Branson, Cam Brock, Xavier Payne, and William Wettengel, while adding a half-dozen other out-of-town talents—including James Pollard, who suited up for Minnesota last season. Just yesterday they announced the signing of former Pittsburgh handler Jonathan Mast, which could make for an interesting and quirky backfield alongside the high-volume former Detroit duo of Jake Felton and Joe Cubitt. Collectively, all these moves will presumably vault Indy back into the playoff conversation, but in a side-by-side comparison with the Wind Chill, there’s still a large gap separating Indy from the three-time reigning Central champs. Minnesota has a winning program and a proven pipeline, while Indy is simply hoping that all of their additions can coalesce into a competent contender. 

Meanwhile, Chicago, Madison, and Pittsburgh are the other three Central squads—remember, it’s a five-team division now with bottom-feeder Detroit, as of mid-November, ceasing operations—and no member of this trio has yet to make any meaningful offseason announcements that suggest they have made especially significant strides. Now, in their collective defense, it’s still early. Most teams around the UFA still have not yet held official tryouts. But when you see Indy signing a smorgasbord of established names, and even more notably, Minnesota boasting two new potential Defensive Player of the Year candidates, it feels obvious to declare that the Central looks like it again will go through Minnesota. 

There’ll be plenty of time to contemplate how Ambrose and Coolman—who will both be 27 years old on opening day—might fit alongside new Wind Chill teammates like Justin Burnett, Paul Krenik, and Noah Hanson. Minnesota also could make more splashes on the free agent front before rosters are finalized in the coming months. 

But the way things are looking here in late-January, the Wind Chill are gusting again, casting shivering vibes to the rest of the Central and reminding the entire league that Minnesota will be an incredibly tough out in the semis. 

The new season starts 12 weeks from Friday, and with today’s announcement, the Wind Chill remain ahead of the game.