SANDIA SPORTS BOOK. THE GO HEADS ARE STILL MONTHS AWAY FROM THEIR FIRST FACE OFF ON THE ICE, BUT THEY HAVE NAMED THEIR FIRST EVER HEAD COACH A FORMER NHL PLAYER WHO SAYS HE IS READY TO BUILD A WINNING CULTURE. HERE’S PEYTON SPELLACY MONTHS AWAY, BEFORE THE NEW MEXICO GOAT HEADS EVER DROP THE PUCK. SELLING HOCKEY IN THE DESERT, EVEN TO A CANADIAN, BECOMES A WHOLE LOT EASIER. THE NEW MEXICO GOAT HEADS SEARCHING FOR THE ONE PERSON TO LEAD THE TEAM INTO THE INAUGURAL SEASON. I’LL NEVER FORGET THAT FIRST PHONE CALL BEFORE WE TALKED. SYSTEMS, CONTRACTS OR ANY DETAILS, HE SAID. A COUPLE SIMPLE WORDS, WHICH WAS, I WANT TO BE YOUR HEAD COACH. AND IN THAT MOMENT, WE KNEW WE HAD OUR GUY. INTRODUCING ZACK STORTINI. WHAT A GREAT FEELING TO BE A PART OF. HISTORY. YOU KNOW, THIS IS THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY TO BE THE FIRST HEAD COACH OF YOUR NEW MEXICO GOAT HEADS FROM ONTARIO, CANADA, THE FORMER EDMONTON OILERS AND NASHVILLE PREDATOR BRINGS EXPERIENCE FROM THE HIGHEST LEVEL TO THE BENCH RELATIONSHIP THAT YOU HAVE WITH THE PLAYERS, UNDERSTANDING, YOU KNOW, THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS THAT THEY’RE GOING THROUGH, YOU KNOW, THE DIFFICULTIES OF CHASING YOUR DREAM AND COMING UP THROUGH THE RANKS IN THE MINOR LEAGUES TO, YOU KNOW, ONE DAY BECOME AN NHL PLAYER. AND WHAT ATTRACTED HIM MOST TO THE JOB, THE PEOPLE WORKING WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION, I THINK THERE’S A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF OPPORTUNITY, YOU KNOW, FOR EVERYBODY INVOLVED IN THE GAME TO CONTINUE TO GROW AND GET BETTER. STORTINI SAYING HE’S BRINGING AN INTENSE PROGRAM TO THE LAND OF ENCHANTMENT. THEY’RE GOING TO SEE A PRODUCT ON THE ICE WHERE YOU SEE PLAYERS COMPETING EACH AND EVERY NIGHT. YOU KNOW THERE’S GOING TO BE A HIGH LEVEL OF COMPETITION, YOU KNOW, WINNING RACES FOR PUCKS, BATTLING, USING THEIR PHYSICAL STRENGTH OR THEIR SKILL ATTRIBUTES, YOU KNOW, TO CREATE AN EXCITING BRAND OF HOCKEY. THE NEXT STEP IN THE PROCESS, FINDING THE RIGHT STAFF AND PLAYERS, TWO THINGS THAT REALLY STAND OUT. OBVIOUSLY, THEIR ABILITY ON THE ICE, YOU KNOW, TO BE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS EACH AND EVERY GAME. THAT COMPETITIVE SPIRIT, FAST, HARD TO PLAY AGAINST AND THEN OFF THE ICE, YOU KNOW, BEING GOOD PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, AND THAT’S SOMETHING THAT IN THE DRESSING ROOM, IT’S IN THE COMMUNITY KNOWING THE EXPECTATION IS TO WIN PRESSURE IS A PRIVILEGE. YOU KNOW, ANYTIME THAT YOU’RE ABLE TO BE PUT IN A SITUATION WHERE YOU HAVE TO DELIVER, THAT’S PRO SPORTS, THAT’S WHAT YOU WANT. YOU RELISH THOSE OPPORTUNITIES. PEYT
New Mexico Goatheads announce Zack Stortini as first head coach
Former NHL player Zack Stortini has been named the first head coach of the New Mexico Goatheads
The New Mexico Goatheads have named Zack Stortini, a former NHL player, as their first-ever head coach ahead of their inaugural season. Months before the team’s first game, the Goatheads were searching for the right person to lead them into their debut season. “I’ll never forget that first phone call. Before we talked system contracts or any details, he said a couple of simple words, which was, ‘I want to be your head coach.’ In that moment, we knew we had our guy,” a team representative said. Stortini, who is from Ontario, Canada, played for the Edmonton Oilers and Nashville Predators during his NHL career. “What a great feeling to be a part of history. You know, this is an incredible opportunity to be the first head coach of your New Mexico Goatheads,” Stortini said. He highlighted his understanding of the challenges players face as they work toward their goals. “That relationship you have with the players, understanding the trials and tribulations that they’re going through, the difficulties of chasing your dream and coming up through the ranks from the minor leagues to one day becoming an NHL player,” he said. Stortini said he was drawn to the job by the people within the organization. “I think there is a tremendous amount of opportunity, you know, for everybody involved in the game to continue to grow and get better,” he said. He promised fans an intense program and an exciting brand of hockey. “They’re going to see a product on the ice where you see players competing each and every night. There’s going to be a high level of competition, you know, winning races for pucks, battling, using their physical strength or their skill attributes, you know, to create an exciting brand of hockey,” Stortini said. The next step for the Goatheads is finding the right staff and players. “Two things that really stand out: obviously their ability on the ice, you know, to be contributing factors each and every game, that competitive spirit, fast, hard play against. And then off the ice, you know, being good people, and that’s something in the dressing room, in the community,” he said. Stortini acknowledged the pressure that comes with the role but said it is part of the job. “Pressure is privilege, you know. Anytime that you are able to be put in situations when you have to deliver, that’s pro sports. That’s what you want. You relish those opportunities,” he said. The New Mexico Goatheads are set to play their first game on Friday, Oct. 16.
The New Mexico Goatheads have named Zack Stortini, a former NHL player, as their first-ever head coach ahead of their inaugural season.
Months before the team’s first game, the Goatheads were searching for the right person to lead them into their debut season.
“I’ll never forget that first phone call. Before we talked system contracts or any details, he said a couple of simple words, which was, ‘I want to be your head coach.’ In that moment, we knew we had our guy,” a team representative said.
Stortini, who is from Ontario, Canada, played for the Edmonton Oilers and Nashville Predators during his NHL career.
“What a great feeling to be a part of history. You know, this is an incredible opportunity to be the first head coach of your New Mexico Goatheads,” Stortini said.
He highlighted his understanding of the challenges players face as they work toward their goals.
“That relationship you have with the players, understanding the trials and tribulations that they’re going through, the difficulties of chasing your dream and coming up through the ranks from the minor leagues to one day becoming an NHL player,” he said.
Stortini said he was drawn to the job by the people within the organization.
“I think there is a tremendous amount of opportunity, you know, for everybody involved in the game to continue to grow and get better,” he said.
He promised fans an intense program and an exciting brand of hockey.
“They’re going to see a product on the ice where you see players competing each and every night. There’s going to be a high level of competition, you know, winning races for pucks, battling, using their physical strength or their skill attributes, you know, to create an exciting brand of hockey,” Stortini said.
The next step for the Goatheads is finding the right staff and players.
“Two things that really stand out: obviously their ability on the ice, you know, to be contributing factors each and every game, that competitive spirit, fast, hard play against. And then off the ice, you know, being good people, and that’s something in the dressing room, in the community,” he said.
Stortini acknowledged the pressure that comes with the role but said it is part of the job.
“Pressure is privilege, you know. Anytime that you are able to be put in situations when you have to deliver, that’s pro sports. That’s what you want. You relish those opportunities,” he said.
The New Mexico Goatheads are set to play their first game on Friday, Oct. 16.
