It’s been a big week for the New Mexico Goatheads, the state’s new ECHL hockey team scheduled to begin play in the 2026-27 season.
The minor league hockey squad — the ECHL is the hockey equivalent of baseball’s AA level — is the affiliate of the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche who, on Wednesday night, defeated the Minnesota Wild to punch its ticket to the conference finals in pursuit of the Stanley Cup.
Then, on Thursday, the Goatheads announced the full schedule for their inaugural season.
The Goatheads’ first-ever game will take place Oct. 16 at the Rio Rancho Events Center — the team’s home ice — against the Idaho Steelheads. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. and the first 6,000 fans in attendance will receive LED glow rods.
The final game of the season is April 10, 2027 against the Tahoe Knight Monsters. It’s also the Goathead’s last home game of the season.
The schedule includes several marquee dates, including Thanksgiving Week home games, a Black Friday matchup (Nov. 27), and post-Christmas games (Dec. 26 and 27).
The Goatheads will play a 72-game schedule and all 36 home games — played at the RREC — will be broadcast on the big screen at The Block.
For updates and information, visit nmgoatheads.com.
NM Goatheads 2026-27 schedule
Oct. 16, 17, 18 – vs. Idaho Steelheads
Oct. 23, 24, 25 – at Tahoe Knight Monsters
Oct. 30, 31 – vs. Rapid City Rush
Nov. 4, 6, 7 – vs. Allen Americans
Nov. 13, 14, 15 – at Kalamazoo Wings
Nov. 19, 20, 21 – at Tahoe Knight Monsters
Nov. 25, 27, 28 – vs. Florida Everblades
Dec. 2, 4 – at Wichita Thunder
Dec. 9, 11, 12 – vs. Adirondack Thunder
Dec. 18, 19, 20 – at Tulsa Oilers
Dec. 26, 27 – vs. Tahoe Knight Monsters
Dec. 20, Jan. 1, 2 – at Idaho Steelheads
Jan. 6, 8, 9 – at Rapid City Rush
Jan. 15, 16 – at Wichita Thunder
Jan. 20, 22, 23 – vs. Kansas City Maveircks
Jan. 29, 30 – vs. Wichita Thunder
Feb. 3, 5, 6 – at Idaho Steelheads
Feb. 10, 12, 13 – vs. Idaho Steelheads
Feb. 18, 19, 20 – at Allen Americans
Feb. 24, 26, 27 – vs. Wichita Thunder
March 3, 5, 6 – at Rapid City Rush
March 12, 13, 14 – Tahoe Knight Monsters
March 19, 20 – at Kansas City Mavericks
March 24, 26, 27 – vs. Tulsa Oilers
March 31, April 2, 3 – at Adirondack Thunder
April 7, 9, 10 – vs. Tahoe Knight Monsters
April 11 – ECHL postseason begins
*home games played at the Rio Rancho Events Center