League: Major League Rugby

Founded in 2017 with it’s inaugural season played in 2018, Major League Rugby (MLR) is the highest level of professional rugby in North America.

Chris Hilsenbeck

California born test capped German fly-half Chris Hilsenbeck played in Major League Rugby in 2023, and again in 2025-2026. He represented Rugby ATL (2023) and the Chicago Hounds (2025-2026).

Prior to his move to MLR, Hilsenbeck had spent his entire professional career playing in France in the Pro D2, mainly with Vannes where he had over well over 100 appearances, and over 800pts. Rugby ATL announced the signing of then-31yo Hilsenbeck on May 17th, 2023 for the remainder of the season, joining from US Carcassonne. Hilsenbeck started all 4 of his appearances for Rugby ATL in 2023, kicking 11pts and going 5/7 from the tee. Following the 2023 season, and news that Rugby ATL had changed ownership and would be relocating, Hilsenbeck returned to Europe and the ProD2, where he joined Biarritz.

On February 9th, 2025, 1 week before the MLR season kicked off, the agency representing Chris Hilsenbeck, KHAOS Sports, announced that US-eligible Hilsenbeck had signed with the Chicago Hounds for the 2025 MLR season. Hilsenbeck stepped up in a huge way for the Hounds in the 2025 season, starting 12 of his 15 games and scoring 1 try and 109pts in total. He started both of Chicago’s postseason games including their Eastern Conference Final clash with the New England Free Jacks, were he had an opportunity to win the game in the final minute, but his penalty kick rang off the upright in Quincy, and the Free Jacks knocked the Chicago Hounds out by a score of 21-20. Hilsenbeck earned two Team of the Week selections in 2025 and finished as the Top Scorer of the 2025 MLR season and was the only player to finish with over 100pts scored. For his performance in 2025, Hilsenbeck was named to the All-MLR 1st XV.

Although capped for Germany, US-born Hilsenbeck was included in the USA Eagles squad for their 2025 July tests, and earned his debut as Eagle #590 when he came off the bench in a 36-17 victory over Belgium on July 5th, 2025. 4 months later to the day on 5th November 2025, the Chicago Hounds announced the return of Hilsenbeck for their 2026 MLR campaign.

achievements
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2026 – Rd 9
  • 2025 MLR Top Scorer: 109pts
  • 2025 All-MLR First XV Selection
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 16
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 5

James Hilterbrand

Australian-born USA Eagle James Hilterbrand featured in Major League Rugby during the 2022 & 2023 seasons.

The Front row signed with San Diego Legion head of the 2022 MLR season and earned 3 caps (all starts) including their one playoff game in 2022.

Following his stint with the Legion, Hilterbrand played with the Manly Marlins in the Shute Shield competition in Australia, but on May 17th, 2023 the New England Free Jacks announce the signing of Hilterbrand for the remainder of the 2023 Major League Rugby season.

2023 – RD 14: Toronto Arrows v Old Glory DC

Old Glory DC travel north of the border to face the Toronto Arrows at York Lions Stadium during Round 14 of the 2023 season.

The Toronto Arrows managed to salvage a draw thanks to a last minute D’Shawn Bowen try. The win was available via the conversion, but it was a tricky angle and Peter Nelson floated it wide.

This was the 2nd draw of the 2023 Major League Rugby season with both of them featuring the Toronto Arrows in back-to-back weeks after their 34-34 draw with Rugby ATL last week. Through the 2025 season, the Toronto Arrows remain the only team in MLR history to have tied back-to-back games.

v
v
v
v
v
v

Stephan Bernal-Wendt

Crossover Athlete Stephan Bernal-Wendt played Major league Rugby between 2023-2025. He represented the Utah Warriors (2023) and Anthem RC (2024-2025).

Hawaiian native Stephan Bernal-Wendt played gridiron football through high school, as well as four years of rugby through high school. He stuck with his football career into university, playing as an Offensive Linesman with the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, from 2017-2022.

Following university, Bernal-Wendt turned his attention to rugby full time, and toured with the USA Hawks to South America before signing with the Utah Warriors on May 12th, 2023 for the back end of the 2023 MLR season, although he did not see game time. Following the inception of Anthem RC just prior to the 2024 season, Bernal-Wendt joined the MLR, USA Rugby and World Rugby partnership team for the 2024 MLR season where he earned his debut, starting two of his 12 appearances in Anthem’s inaugural season, that saw them deliver improving performances despite their 0-16 record. Listed at 300lbs, the prop is one of the heaviest players in MLR history.

Stephan Bernal-Wendt was included in the Anthem RC squad for 2025 when they revealed their full roster on January 21st, 2025.

2023 – RD 13: Toronto Arrows v Rugby ATL

The Toronto Arrows host Rugby ATL in an Eastern Conference clash at York Lions Stadium during Round 13 of the 2023 season.

The first draw of the 2023 Major League Rugby season brings an end to the longest losing streak in Toronto Arrows history, having lost 7 games in a row prior to this. This draw badly dents ATL’s playoff push in a closely fought eastern conference race, and the team from Georgia is likely disappointed that they couldn’t secure the 5 point win.

At the time, while still 6th in the Eastern Conference, this draw lifted the Arrows above Chicago and Dallas in the battle at the bottom of the overall league standings.

v