New Mexico Goatheads: Rio Rancho pro hockey team team unveils name, logo

RIO RANCHO — Fans of New Mexico’s ECHL franchise can finally put a name to the face. Or, name to the head.

Goathead, to be exact.

On Monday, the new professional hockey franchise starting in Rio Rancho next year announced the team will be the New Mexico Goatheads, a name deemed the winner over the Cutthroats and Tarantula Hawks in a fan contest.

“Our three finalists ended up having over 6,000 votes,” Goatheads General Manager Jared Johnson said. “It was amazing to see, but through it all, one name kept rising to the top, and that was the Goatheads.”

The unveiling came via a public fan event at Rio Rancho Events Center, where the franchise held a program of speakers, food trucks, photo ops for fans and even limited edition merchandise available for purchase.

“I didn’t know what a Goathead was eight months ago, but so many of you let me know on my first journey here,” REV Entertainment President Sean Decker said. “Our research into Goathead thorns led us down some pretty interesting roads. We learned a lot, but what we ultimately found is that these Goatheads stick. They represent grit and determination, we kind of love that idea.”

The Goatheads’ main logo consists of a goat’s head, while also giving reference to the puncturevine, colloquially known as a goathead because the sharp, thorn bur resembles a goat’s head.

“One thing that I know can bring tears to a grown man’s eyes? When you step on a goathead.” Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull said.

The arena was abuzz for the announcement.

Hockey fans filled up the south end of the event center, in full view of the stage and a sectioned portion of ice that was later unveiled to show the new logo in all its frozen glory.

“Ice, along with ice hockey, is fully back at the Rio Rancho Events Center.” emcee Fred Slow joked at the beginning of the night.

After the program concluded, fans wasted no time getting their hands on Goatheads merchandise, with lines wrapping around the concourse and outside the arena at two separate booths.

“This brand represents New Mexico’s toughness, pride, and resilience,” Johnson said. “We wanted something authentic to our community, and we believe the Goatheads are a team and a symbol fans across the state can rally behind.”

The Goatheads will compete in a Double-A league that serves as a farm system to the NHL and the Triple-A American Hockey League.

The ECHL, formerly the East Coast Hockey League, is comprised of 30 teams across the country. New Mexico will be team No. 31 next season.

It’s been 17 years since a pro hockey franchise was based in New Mexico. The New Mexico Ice Wolves, in Albuquerque, are in the North American Hockey League, a Tier II junior league that often feeds players into the ECHL.

“I met with a gentleman back in 2014, he asked when we were going to bring professional hockey back to Rio Rancho,” Hull said. “I can tell you now, better late than never. The Goatheads are here to stay.”