Hounds Agree to Terms with Mike Matarazzo

CHICAGO, I.L.- The Chicago Hounds announced today they have signed flanker Mike Matarazzo ahead of the 2023 Major League Rugby season. The Staten Island, New York native spent 2022 with the Dallas Jackals.

Matarazzo was originally a first-round pick (eighth overall) by Rugby Atlanta in the 2020 MLR Collegiate Draft. He appeared in one game for Atlanta during the 2021 season. He recorded six tackles and four lineout takes in forty minutes of play.

After his rookie campaign in Atlanta, Matarazzo signed with the Dallas Jackals for the 2022 MLR season, their inaugural year competing in the league. He appeared in 14 contests for Dallas with 13 starts across both the second and back rows, playing a total of 1,016 minutes. Matarazzo was credited with 113 tackles on the year and scored one try.

Matazrazzo was a two-time captain for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish while earning All-American honors. He toured with the USA Selects team to Montevideo, Uruguay in the fall of 2021.

Roster to Date:

The Hounds have now announced FOUR players on their roster for the 2023 season: Bryce Campbell, J.P. Eloff, Chris Mattina, and mike matarazzo.

The Chicago Hounds kick off their inaugural season in Major League Rugby on February 18th at 1:00 PM CST when they take on Old Glory DC at Segra Field in Leesburg, Virginia. Broadcast information will be available shortly. Fans can watch the Hounds play live at SeatGeek Stadium for the home opener against the Utah Warriors on Sunday, March 5th. Season tickets go on sale Monday December 19th.

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ABOUT CHICAGO HOUNDS:

The Chicago Hounds are a professional rugby team competing in Major League Rugby (MLR), North America’s professional rugby competition. The Hounds were named as an expansion franchise in 2022 and are set to play their Inaugural Season in 2023 at SeatGeek Stadium.