Chicago born back row Calvin Ihrig played in Major League Rugby during the 2025 season. He represented the Miami Sharks for his entire MLR career.

Born in Chicago to an American mother and German father, Ihrig spent much of his childhood travelling for his father’s work. He lived in Canada, Germany, and Vietnam before spending a decade in Thailand from 2009. He picked up rugby during his Sophomore year at International School Thailand, initially playing Sevens. He moved back to the US for college, attending the rugby powerhouse Lindenwood University in Missouri from 2020, where he played his first 15-a-side games, initially playing on the wing or at fly-half, before finding his groove in the back row. Ihrig played with the Lindenwood Lions from 2020-2024, and declared for the 2024 MLR Collegiate Draft.

Ihrig was selected in the 1st Round, 3rd overall by the Miami Sharks, and signed on with the Florida team for the 2025 MLR season. He earned his MLR debut coming off the bench during the Sharks’ Round 11 victory over Anthem RC. He earned 2 appearances for the Sharks in total during the 2025 season, before the Miami Sharks announced their withdrawal from the league in August 2025. A month later, Calvin Ihrig was included in the Chicago Hounds’ Autumn Performance Squad for their Fall season, while playing club rugby with the Chicago Blaze

achievements

• 2024 MLR Draftee: 1st Round (3rd Overall) – Miami Sharks

NARDB Player #1,541