by Luke Henley on
WHEN THE PUCK DROPS on the New Mexico Goatheads inaugural season this month, the ECHL franchise hopes to bring the same level of toughness, grit, and stick-to-itiveness to the ice that the name implies. “It’s something people here understand and can resonate with,” says general manager Jared Johnson of the name that was selected by community vote.
Johnson, who moved from Alabama where he served as vice president of the Huntsville Havoc in the Southern Professional Hockey League, has been busy. As a double-A minor-league affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Colorado Avalanche, the Goatheads debut marks the return of professional hockey to the Land of Enchantment for the first time since the New Mexico Scorpions folded in 2009. Since the name was officially announced in May, the team has rolled out its mascot, Billy the Billy Goat, and color palette of desert red, sand, and Río Grande blue; visited schools and other community organizations; and started lining up partnerships. “It still gives me chills a bit, going out in public and you see somebody with a Goatheads shirt on,” he says.
Then there’s the business of putting a team together. That starts with the new head coach, Zack Stortini. An NHL veteran who played with both the Edmonton Oilers and Nashville Predators, Stortini most recently served as an assistant with the American Hockey League’s Tucson Roadrunners, where he helped guide the team to three straight playoff appearances. He expects to bring that same winning attitude to the Goatheads. “It is imperative that our players are competitive, team-oriented, and committed to playing better every day,” he says. “Our team will play with pace, physicality, and relentless effort.”
By mid-August, the roster was already taking shape, including forward Grant Ahcan, a Colorado Avalanche Development Camp invitee; first team All-ECHL defenseman Derek Daschke; and Russian forward Artem Pugachev. The affiliation with the Avalanche, who made the Western Conference finals last season, creates a development pipeline and a potential path to the NHL.
While fast-paced hockey is the foundation, the Goatheads plan to bring plenty of off-ice excitement to the 7,000-seat Rio Rancho Events Center. Opening weekend, October 16–18, against the Idaho Steelheads sees giveaways for glow sticks, rally towels, and a team poster, as well as special fan experiences throughout the games. But the fun continues with 36 home dates through April 18, many featuring promotions and theme nights such as Peanuts and Star Wars.
Johnson believes getting fans to see the sport in person is key. “They go to the game and then they’re hooked,” he says. “That changes everything.”