The Colorado Avalanche will have a new ECHL affiliate starting next season and it will be the league’s newest team. The Avs announced Saturday that the expansion New Mexico Goatheads, will be the team’s new affiliate in the Premier “AA” league in North America, joining the club’s AHL affiliate Colorado Eagles within the organization.

The Goatheads will replace the Utah Grizzlies as the team’s ECHL affiliate as the Grizzlies will be departing Utah after this season, relocating to Trenton, N.J. Utah had been the Avs’ ECHL affiliate since 2018

Located in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, the Goatheads will open play next October in the Rio Rancho Events Center, bringing pro hockey back to the region for the first time since 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 GM and Eagles GM 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.”

“This partnership is about opportunity and growth,” said Goatheads GM Jared Johnson. “Aligning with the Avalanche on a multi-year agreement gives our players a defined development path while delivering high-level hockey to our fans from day one.” 

The ECHL is on track to have a one-to-one affiliation for the entirety of the NHL by 2027-28 when expansion to Augusta, Ga., is completed. The Goatheads will be the 31st team in the ECHL.

Watch Hockey Live Streams Free On FloHockey

From the top 2026 NHL draft prospects to first-round picks looking to develop their game before making it in the National Hockey League—FloHockey has the best broadcast schedule for junior hockey and professional hockey below the NHL.

Each week, you can catch numerous Ontario Hockey League (OHL), Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), American Hockey League (AHL), ECHL and many more games streaming live for free on FloHockey and YouTube.

Watch the AHL, ECHL, QMJHL, USHL, And More On FloHockey

FloHockey is the streaming home to some of the best hockey leagues in North America, including the ECHL and more. Check out the broadcast schedule to watch more hockey.

Join The Hockey Conversation On FloHockey Social

• Follow us on Twitter @FloHockey
• Follow us on Instagram @flohockey
• Follow us on TikTok @flohockeytv
• Watch us on YouTube
• Like us on Facebook