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Here come the Goatheads: RR pro hockey unveils name, logo
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RIO RANCHO — It’s been months in the making, but now New Mexico’s ECHL franchise can finally put a name to the face. Or, name to the head.
Goathead, to be exact.
On Monday evening, the new professional hockey franchise in Rio Rancho announced that they will be going by 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 for the announcement, food trucks and 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 Goathead main logo consists of an actual goat’s head while also giving reference to the “Puncturevine,” a sharp, thorn bur that resembles a goat’s head and is prominent in the state of New Mexico.
“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.
Jokes and injuries from nature aside, the arena was abuzz for the announcement. A Monday evening preview event had energy in the air that resembled that of a Saturday night hockey game.
Hockey fans filled up the behind-the-net portion of the south end of the event center, in front of the stage and a sectioned portion of ice that was later unmasked to show the new logo in all its frozen glory.
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“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 the first-of-its-kind merchandise, with lines wrapping around the concourse and outside the arena at two separate booths. It’s safe to say that fans in attendance are liking the brand’s identity.
“This brand represents New Mexico’s toughness, pride and resilience,” said Johnson. “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 ECHL, formerly the East Coast Hockey League, is comprised of 30 teams across the country. New Mexico will be team No. 31 next season.
Now with a new name in hand, the franchise will hit the ground running with a “pick your seat” event and season ticket holder party slated for later this fall and winter.
The Goatheads will continue to release more details on the team in the coming year, ahead of New Mexico’s 17-year pro hockey hiatus coming to a close in fall 2026.
“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.”
