RIO RANCHO — Hockey is slated to return to the Rio Rancho Events Center.
The ECHL, an AA hockey league, announced Friday that the New Mexico Pro Hockey Club will become the league’s 31st member for the 2026-27 season. The team will be based in Rio Rancho, playing its home games at the Rio Rancho Events Center.
“It is with great pleasure that the league welcomes REV Entertainment, and the New Mexico region, to the ECHL as our 31st member team as we progress the growth of the league to align with the National Hockey League and American Hockey League. REV has a proven track record of managing professional sports teams at the highest level, and we are thrilled with their commitment to bring professional hockey back to the state of New Mexico. This expansion speaks to the growth of our game throughout the continent, and will be an exciting addition to our rivalries in the Mountain Division, and a geographic fit for affiliation development,” said Ryan Crelin, ECHL commissioner.
“I couldn’t be more excited for a new ECHL hockey team to drop puck in Rio Rancho,” Mayor Gregg Hull said. “The ECHL is a great feeder league to the NHL, and bringing hockey back to the Rio Rancho Events Center has always been a part of the vision for the venue.”
All team operations will be overseen by REV Entertainment’s Sports Management Division with the Dallas Stars serving as hockey operations consultants to REV Entertainment for the launch. Jared Johnson has been named as the Rio Rancho squad’s general manager, joining the franchise from the Huntsville Havoc of the Southern Professional Hockey League.
“It’s an honor a and a privilege to lead the ECHL’s newest franchise and to help bring professional hockey back to New Mexico,” Johnson said. “We’re committed to building a team that’s a true staple of the community while providing exciting, affordable and family-friendly entertainment for everyone to enjoy.”
“Today marks a significant milestone for REV Entertainment and the ECHL. We are incredibly excited to bring professional hockey back to New Mexico and to expand the ECHL’s footprint with the league’s 31st franchise. The Rio Rancho community has a rich history with the sport, and we look forward to building a team that will be a source of pride for fans across the region,” said Sean Decker, president of REV Entertainment.
This will not be Rio Rancho’s first foray into being home to a hockey team.
The events center played home to the New Mexico Scorpions from 2006-09 and the New Mexico Mustangs from 2010-12. According to Observer archives, there was hope for a local ECHL team, to be called the Raptors, announced by former City Councilor Jae Cordova in 2022, but no contract was ever signed. 
The ECHL will enter its 38th season in 2025-26 with more than 700 NHL players coming from the league. All current teams maintain affiliations with NHL teams. Though the Stars will serve as liaison through the team’s launch, an NFL affiliate for the New Mexico Pro Hockey Club will be announced at a later date.
“The announcement of a New Mexico ECHL team is a testament to the growth of hockey in the southwestern United States,” said Brad Alberts, Dallas Stars president and CEO. “We are excited to be consulting with REV Entertainment to assist with the logistics behind the creation of a new franchise in our neighboring state. The Stars will serve as a resource to the team in all operational areas, including facility planning and hockey operations staffing as they move toward dropping the puck for the 2026-27 ECHL season.”
The Rio Rancho team’s official name will be determined through a “Name the Team” contest at NMProHockey.com, where more information can also be found on team updates and partnership opportunities. Fans can also place a $50 deposit to secure a spot to be first in line for season tickets; additional ticket packages will be available at a later date. The team can be followed Instagram, X, Facebook and LinkedIn.
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