Hounds Sign 2023 Academy Player of the Year

CHICAGO, IL- The Chicago Hounds’ academy is still in its infancy, but the Major League Rugby side is already reaping the benefits of the newly established pipeline. The club announced today flanker Ethan Parkins signed on for the 2024 season after an impressive fall campaign with the academy squad.

Parkins immediately stood out during the inaugural academy season and Chicago’s Head of Player Operations, Will Magie, noted that “he has a big future.” The hard-nosed flanker started all three contests for the Academy, captaining the last two games against San Diego and Toronto. He was honored as the Academy Player of the Year for his impressive performances.

Parkins is a Loughborough University product that holds an American passport. Last year, the flanker appeared for the Worcester Warriors in a Premiership Cup contest against Gloucester.

At just 20-years-old, the flanker becomes the youngest player in the Hounds 2024 Major League Rugby squad. He joins a back-row position group that is littered with talent, including returning players in Maclean Jones, Luke White, Tinashe Muchena, and Mike Matarazzo. The Hounds added even more veteran fire power to the group this offseason, signing Ben Landry, Mason Flesch, Lucas Rumball, Conall Boomer, and Brad Tucker.

Roster to Date:

To date, the Chicago Hounds have signed the following players for the 2024 Major League Rugby season:

• Nick McCarthy, scrumhalf
• Ben Landry, lock/flanker
• Dave Kearney, wing
• Bryce Campbell, center*
• Zurabi Zhvania, prop
• Billy Meakes, center*
• Julian Dominguez, wing*
• George Merrick, lock
• Tinashe Muchena, back row*
• Adriaan Carelse, fullback
• Jason Higgins, scrumhalf (via trade with San Diego)
• Paddy Ryan, prop*
• Mark O’Keeffe, center*
• Janus Venter, hooker
• Mike Matarazzo, lock/flanker*
• Ignacio Peculo, prop
• Cassh Maluia, outside back
• Guillermo Pujadas, hooker
• Dylan Fawsitt, hooker
• James Scott, lock
• Nate Augspurger, wing (via trade with NOLA Gold)
• Brad Tucker, lock/flanker (via Dispersal Draft)
• Mason Flesch, flanker (via Dispersal Draft)
• Michael Hand, wing
• Lucas Rumball, flanker
• Conall Boomer, flanker
• Caolan Dooley, utility back
• Fred Apulu, prop*
• Michael Baska, utility back*
• Charlie Abel, prop*
• LaRome White, prop*
• Maclean Jones, flanker*
• Luke White, back row/ lock*
• Luke Carty, flyhalf*
• Ethan Parkins, flanker

Star denotes re-signed/ returning player.