RIO RANCHO, N.M. (KRQE) – New Mexico’s newest professional sports franchise has a name, as it was announced on Monday at the Rio Rancho Events Center that “The New Mexico Goatheads” will be the newest ECHL hockey team in 2026. “We had over 5,000 participants in the name the team contest, and we are so thankful for your passionate responses. Your response reaffirms why this is absolutely the place to bring the only professional hockey team in New Mexico,” said Sean Decker, Rev Entertainment President.
The Goatheads won in the online voting contest, beating out the Cutthroats and the Tarantula Hawks. Over 1,000 fans made it out to the Rio Rancho Events Center for Monday’s brand reveal, and they, along with this franchise, are excited to get hockey back in New Mexico, as it has been 16 years since the Scorpions played hockey at the Rio Rancho Events Center.
“The excitement behind this is incredible. The history of hockey and what it means to this entire market is really special, and we have a really big duty to make sure that we meet and exceed all expectations for these fans. I can’t promise that we will win every night on the ice, but I can promise that is our job to throw a world-class party and a hockey game breakout,” said Decker.
The Goatheads with be one of 31 teams in the ECHL when they drop the puck in their inaugural season in October 2026. The search for an NHL affiliate is still on for this team, but an announcement for that, along with a coaching staff, is expected to be made early next year.
The ECHL is a Double-A hockey league that is a proven pipeline to the NHL and has been a league since 1988. To find out more about the Goatheads, click this link.
