The Colorado Avalanche have officially announced their new ECHL affiliate, the New Mexico Goatheads, set to join the league as the 30th team for the 2026-27 season. This expansion marks an exciting development in the ECHL, a league that plays a crucial role in nurturing talent for both the AHL and NHL.
To give you an idea of its impact, by the start of the 2025-26 season, 768 ECHL players had made their way to the NHL. The Avalanche themselves have seen four players-Jack Ahcan, Mackenzie Blackwood, Trent Miner, and Scott Wedgewood-climb from ECHL ranks to their roster.
Coaching staff in Colorado also have deep ECHL ties. Head Coach Jared Bednar and Assistant Coach Nolan Pratt both honed their skills in the league.
Bednar, in particular, has an impressive history with the ECHL, having started his coaching career with the South Carolina Sting Rays. His journey from assistant coach to head coach, and eventually general manager, saw him become the only coach to win championships in the ECHL, AHL, and NHL.
Bednar emphasized the significance of the ECHL in player development, noting, “Every player develops at a different pace, and we’ve used our ECHL affiliate to feed the Eagles up in Loveland. When we take players from the Eagles, they need replacements, and some of those guys have done an excellent job earning permanent ice time with the Eagles. It’s just another step in the development process when kids come out of college, junior, or Europe.”
The introduction of the Goatheads will bring professional hockey back to New Mexico for the first time since 2009, offering a fresh opportunity to grow the sport in a non-traditional market. Bednar expressed optimism about the new location, saying, “In a non-traditional hockey market, the first thing you’re trying to do is build up your fan base. I’m sure they’ll be really excited to get a professional hockey team back there.”
Fans can look forward to catching the Goatheads in action for 36 home games during their inaugural season at the Rio Rancho Events Center. This expansion is more than just a new team; it's a chance to ignite passion for hockey in a new community.