Chicago City Wire

Ben Landry, a versatile forward for the Chicago Hounds, announced his retirement from professional rugby today due to injury. The 33-year-old Pewaukee, Wisconsin native signed with the Chicago Hounds before the 2024 Major League Rugby season.

“It’s difficult having to walk away from a sport I’ve been passionate about since I was a child,” stated Landry. “But I am proud knowing that I put my body on the line for my teammates each time I was on the field.”

During the 2024 campaign, Chicago Hound No. 55 appeared in eight contests, making six starts. Landry finished the year with 45 carries for 206 meters (4.5 meters-per-carry) and scored two tries. On defense, he completed 49 tackles, four of which were deemed dominant. His presence was consistently felt in the set piece as well, recording 19 lineout takes and two lineout steals.

“I’m grateful that I was able to finish my career in the Midwest, close to family and friends,” Landry continued. “I am excited to watch professional rugby grow in America and I am honored to have played my part.”

Landry first appeared for the Glendale Raptors in Major League Rugby's inaugural 2018 season. After spending a season with Ealing Trailfinders in England, he returned to MLR in 2020 with New England Free Jacks.

He then signed with Seattle Seawolves prior to the 2021 season. In his second year with Seattle in 2022, Landry helped secure a Western Conference title and an appearance in the MLR Championship game. He remained a key player during the 2023 season, starting all 16 of his appearances and leading Seattle to another postseason berth.

The forward began playing rugby in middle school and continued throughout high school at Pewaukee High School Pirates in Wisconsin. He played collegiately at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where he was a multi-year Collegiate All-American. He made his USA Men’s National team debut in 2016 and featured for the Eagles during the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

“Ben is a legend of the game, and we feel privileged and lucky to say he was a Chicago Hound,” said Hounds CEO and General Manager James English. “I’d like to thank him personally for taking a chance on Chicago and for his contribution to Dawg Town. We would like to wish Ben, Lyndsey and Thomas best of luck for their new chapter of life.”

Landry concludes his MLR career with 42 starts across 47 appearances, carrying the ball 329 times for a total gain of 1811 meters while scoring six tries. Defensively, he is credited with making 381 tackles including 26 dominant ones.