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New Mexico Pro Hockey Club announces nickname finalists: Cutthroats, Goatheads or Tarantula Hawks
ECHL's New Mexico Hockey Club presser announces a pro Hockey team coming to Rio Rancho in 2026 at the Rio Rancho Events Center on Tuesday May 6, 2025.
The New Mexico Pro Hockey Club, an ECHL franchise which will begin play in the 2026–27 season and will call the Rio Rancho Events Center home, has announced three finalists for its official team name.
The “Name the Team” contest generated nearly 2,000 submissions, the team reported in a news release. Here are the finalists, along with a description from the team:
Cutthroats: A nod to the native Rio Grande cutthroat trout, New Mexico’s state fish, known for its aggressive nature and striking colors.
Goatheads: Inspired by the goathead thorn — a relentless desert weed that's nearly impossible to kill — and the wild ibex goat — a symbol of survival in harsh, mountainous terrain.
Tarantula Hawks: New Mexico’s state insect is one of the Southwest’s most formidable predators. This large wasp is known for having one of the most painful stings in the world.
Fans can cast their vote for their favorite name at NMProHockey.com. Voting is open now and will close at 5 p.m. Mountain on July 3.
