On Saturday, the Colorado Avalanche announced their partnership with the newly formed New Mexico Goatheads.
DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche and Colorado Eagles have announced a new multi-year affiliation with an expansion ECHL club.
On Saturday, the Avalanche announced their partnership with the ECHL’s newest franchise, the New Mexico Goatheads. The affiliation between the clubs will begin in the 2026-27 season.
When the Goatheads start their 2026-27 season at the Rio Rancho Events Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, it will mark the return of professional hockey to the Land of Enchantment.
New Mexico’s previous professional hockey team, the New Mexico Scorpions, played in the Western Professional Hockey League and Central Hockey League from 1996 until 2009.
“The ECHL is a key part of the Avalanche-Eagles player development equation, and we’re excited to establish this multi-year partnership with the New Mexico Goatheads,” said Avalanche Assistant General Manager and Eagles General Manager Kevin McDonald. “We were impressed with the Albuquerque market when we were evaluating options, and Rio Rancho will provide a strong environment for players to grow both on and off the ice.”
Several Avalanche players and staff have backgrounds linked to the ECHL. There are four players on the Avalanche and Eagles rosters who are ECHL alumni, including Scott Wedgewood, Mackenzie Blackwood, Trent Miner, and Jack Ahcan.
Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar has experience coaching and playing in the ECHL. Bednar is a member of the ECHL Hall of Fame.
Avalanche assistant coach Nolan Pratt played for the ECHL’s Richmond Renegades during the 1995-96 season.
The Utah Grizzlies served as the Avalanche’s ECHL affiliate from 2018-26. The club’s secondary affiliate has hailed from the ECHL every season dating back to the 2014-15 season.