RIO RANCHO, NM – The ECHL today announced the addition of its 31st member team, the New Mexico Pro Hockey Club, which will begin play during the 2026-27 season. Owned and operated by REV Entertainment, the team will be based in Rio Rancho and will play home games at the Rio Rancho Events Center.
The team’s official name will be determined through a “Name the Team” contest, now open to fans at NMProHockey.com. Additionally, fans can place a $50 deposit to secure their spot to be the first in line for season tickets. Additional ticket packages will be available at a later date.
REV Entertainment’s Sports Management division will oversee all team operations. The Dallas Stars will serve as hockey operations consultants to REV Entertainment for the launch of the team. REV currently operates two teams in the American Association of Professional Baseball – the Cleburne Railroaders and Kane County Cougars – and previously served as a managing partner for the ECHL’s Allen Americans.
Jared Johnson has been hired to serve as General Manager of the New Mexico Pro Hockey Club. Johnson joins the franchise from the Huntsville Havoc of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL). He oversaw ticketing and business operations for Huntsville as a Vice President since 2021, leading the team to four straight single-season league attendance records. REV Entertainment is currently hiring for the remaining leadership positions for the Rio Rancho-based staff.
The Rio Rancho Events Center, with a capacity of over 6,000 fans for hockey, previously hosted the New Mexico Scorpions (CHL) from 2006-09 and the New Mexico Mustangs (NAHL) from 2010-12. The venue continues to host sporting events, concerts, and other live entertainment.
The ECHL, recognized as the premier “AA” hockey league, will enter its 38th season in 2025-26. Over 700 players have graduated from the ECHL to the NHL, with alumni featured on Stanley Cup champion rosters for the past 24 consecutive years. All current ECHL teams maintain affiliations with NHL franchises. An NHL affiliate for the New Mexico Pro Hockey Club will be announced at a later date.
Fans can visit NMProHockey.com to submit name ideas, sign up for team updates, or inquire about ticket and partnership opportunities. Fans can also follow the team on social media: Instagram, X, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
MEDIA EVENT: A press conference will be held at the Rio Rancho Events Center on Tuesday, May 6 at 11 a.m. MT to introduce the club and its ownership group. Media interested in attending should RSVP to Chris Williams (chriswilliams@reventertainment.com) with REV Entertainment Communications.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“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. We can’t wait to drop the puck in 2026!”
– Sean Decker, President of REV Entertainment
“It’s an honor and a privilege to lead the ECHL’s newest franchise and to help bring professional hockey back to New Mexico. 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.”
– Jared Johnson, General Manager of the New Mexico Pro Hockey Club
“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.”
– Ryan Crelin, ECHL Commissioner
“I couldn’t be more excited for a new ECHL hockey team to drop puck in Rio Rancho. 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. This is the perfect fit for our community, and we welcome REV Entertainment and the ECHL to New Mexico and look forward to this exciting partnership.”
– Greggory Hull, Mayor of Rio Rancho, New Mexico
“The announcement of a New Mexico ECHL team is a testament to the growth of hockey in the southwestern United States. 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.”
– Brad Alberts, Dallas Stars President & CEO
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Matt Mallian, REV Entertainment: mmallian@reventertainment.com
Joe Babik, ECHL: jbabik@echl.com