By: Ryan Baker, Journalist
After the first championship weekend appearance in program history, the Wind Chill’s offseason wait is over.
The 2024 season will commence for Minnesota in Highmark Stadium against the Pittsburgh Thunderbirds on April 27 at 1 p.m. EDT. A Pittsburgh team that is coming off of 5-7 season, returning a majority of their impact players. On the other hand, the Wind Chill are going to see the Thunderbirds without some of their key guys.
Key guys such as Colin Berry, Will Casperson, Paul Krenik, Quinn Snider and Will Brandt will all not be playing in the season opener. Understanding the loss of these guys, head coach Ben Feldman gets the opportunity to give guys such as 18-year old rookie Thomas Shope, and new additions in Greg Cousins, Leo Sovell-Fernandez and Matthew Rehder playing time.
“It presents opportunities for some of our other guys to step up and try to capture an opportunity,” said Feldman. “This is really the time of the year where people start to distinguish themselves and making plays and earning their keep to try to stay on this roster.”
In the matchup between the two last year, Feldman understands that Pittsburgh brought a limited squad when the Wind Chill made quick work of them 26-12. Throw in the mix of not having some key guys, not experiencing playing their full team last year, and a new disc, Feldman knows it’s a tall task to go in a get a win.
“They're quick and they know how to move the disc. They are not afraid to take shots. We're going to have to work to get blocks against them. The big thing is conversion and break percentage and converting our opportunities with that d-line,” said Feldman. I'm guessing some early season execution turnovers on hucks and overhead throws, I think those are going to be the biggest impact.”
One guy that is no stranger to getting blocks, is veteran and team leader in blocks last year with 18, Dylan DeClerk. Without Krenik, DeClerk is going to have his work cut out for him against a high-octane Thunderbird offense, and is very much on the same tune as his coach.
“Most importantly at this point in the season without any film, we need to focus on being able to continue to generate turns on the defense and convert those into breaks with our d-line offense,” said DeClerk.
Jumping back to the new key additions to the squad that will see the field a lot in Highmark stadium, Greg Cousins and Matthew Rehder make their return to the UFA. Cousins makes his return to the Wind Chill for the first time since 2017, and Rehder joins Minnesota after taking a year off, coming from stints with Chicago and Seattle.
"I’m excited for our first real test at competing with our season on the line. Every game counts, and we need to take every chance we can get to grow as a team. This team is young and talented,” said Rehder. “Every team needs to find an energy that they can consistently ride, to lean on when times get tough, and potentially help shape our identity. I’m looking forward to helping this group find its itchy spots to facilitate everyone on our team giving a scratch.”
As for the other two in Shope and Sovell-Fernandez, these are two guys making their UFA debuts. Shope has been a part of the Wind Chill family for a long time, working games as a kid and attending local high school, St. Louis Park. Sovel-Fernandez is a defensive phenom, taking home the title of D-lll Defensive Player of the Year. Brandt has had the opportunity to coach and play alongside Shope and has nothing but high praise for the young kid.
“Thomas is legit. He looks extremely comfortable matching up against players 5+ years older than him that are in their athletic prime. He makes high school matchups look silly. He’s a great blend of athleticism and smarts. His throws are constantly improving as well. I think he’ll do well as long as he’s confident in these first few games,” said Brandt.
To get these guys in the mix will be crucial to obtaining a first week win. Captains Bryan Vohnoutka and Brandon Matis will have to make sure that their playmakers are touching the disc and getting experience for a long season ahead of them.
The journey to getting back to championship weekend begins for the Wind Chill. A tough test lies ahead against a team that historically has had their number as Pittsburgh sports a 9-5 all-time record against Minnesota. The Wind Chill will need to come out firing to be able to put that first mark in the win column for 2024.
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