Chicago Hounds lock in crucial re-signings as roster takes shape

Australian prop Charlie Abel has agreed to a one-year contract extension with Chicago Hounds for the 2026 Major League Rugby season, with the club confirming a few more crucial re-signings this month ahead of the new campaign.

Chicago have announced a series of significant contract updates this week, with Abel the latest player to re-commit to the Hounds. Chris Hilsenbeck, captain Lucas Rumball and backrower Mason Flesch each agreeing to new one-year deals.

USA Eagles scrum-half Ruben de Haas has also signed on.

Abel returns for a fourth season with the Hounds and a sixth season in MLR. Chicago signed Abel in the 2022 MLR Dispersal Draft before agreeing to terms in December of that year, before the front-rower debuted for the Hounds on February 18, 2023.

The former Melbourne Rebels prop has made 75 appearances in a five-year MLR career with the LA Giltinis and Chicago. Abel was a regular at loosehead prop for the Hounds during the 2024 season, starting 10 of 16 appearances.

As a tighthead specialist in 2025, Abel appeared in 13 matches last season, including 12 starts.  Abel attempted 153 tackles, carried the ball 75 times, beat 13 defenders, and finished with one try in the Eastern Conference semi-final triumph over Old Glory DC.

Chicago have announced four re-signings so far this month. Hilsenbeck will return for the 2026 season, after a standout season last time around, which saw the playmaker earn First Team All-MLR honours at fly-half.

Hilsenbeck debuted for Chicago in their round three clash with eventual champions New England Free Jacks, coming on as a replacement. The No. 10 finished the year with 12 starts from 15 appearances, playing more than 1,000 minutes throughout the campaign.

By the end of the season, Hilsenbeck registered more points than any other player in the league with 109. That was a single-season franchise point-scoring record for Chicago, with the fly-half converting 31 tries and slotting 14 penalties.

Hilsenbeck is now eligible to represent the USA Eagles.

Chicago captain Rumball has re-committed to the Hounds, having already played seven seasons in the league. The Canadian national team captain spent five years with the Toronto Arrows before joining Chicago, starting 20 of 28 appearances for the club to date.

Backrow enforcer Flesch has agreed to an extension, and scrum-half de Haas has joined the club after spending a season on loan with NOLA Gold. De Hass suited up for NOLA on loan from South Africa’s Free State Cheetahs.