Story byAlbuquerque Journal, N.M.

Goatheads sign 1st player to inaugural roster

David Glovach, Albuquerque Journal, N.M.Sat, Jul 11, 2026·2 min read

The New Mexico Goatheads have their first player under contract.

The first-year East Coast Hockey League franchise — and minor-league affiliate of the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche — announced the signing of forward Grant Ahcan for the 2026-27 season on Friday.

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The Goatheads begin their inaugural season in the ECHL — hockey’s equivalent of Double-A baseball — on Oct. 16 at the Rio Rancho Events Center.

This will be Ahcan’s second professional stop. The 24-year-old appeared in 14 games for the ECHL’s Iowa Heartlanders in 2025-26. He finished with two goals and two assists.

Ahcan also spent time this summer at the Avalanche’s development camp with some of the organization's top prospects.

Ahcan played his college career at St. Cloud State in Minnesota. He appeared in 117 games and recorded 14 goals and 19 assists. Ahcan was the Huskies’ team captain his senior season, when he played a career-high 39 games to go along with four goals and five assists.

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The forward also comes from a hockey family.

One of his older brothers, Jack, has appeared in NHL games with the Boston Bruins and Avalanche. The defenseman is currently a member of the Nashville Predators organization. Another brother, Roman, plays for the Cleveland Monsters, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The AHL is a step above the ECHL in the professional hockey ranks.

David Glovach covers New Mexico United and other sports for the Journal. Reach him at dglovach@abqjournal.com or via X @DavidGlovach.

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