ECHL in New Mexico in 2026-27?

[Martin Veillette]

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[godot]

Just north of ABQ, by the way.

 

[PCSPounder]

Just north of ABQ, by the way.

“Just” carries more weight than it should.

Anyway, I tend to think ABQ is one of those white whales people will chase but won’t come to anything. Considering the Scorpions played 9 season in Tingley (which I know from experience is hardly a shining barn on a hill) but croaked after 3 in Rio Rancho, I think there are issues to solve. I don’t think the growth in Rio Rancho is sufficient to solve those issues.

 

[Barclay Donaldson]

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Unless you have a short memory, be cautious when following anything linking the ECHL with New Mexico. There is even a HFB thread about it...https://forums.hfboards.com/threads/echl-to-albuquerque.2890328/

https://www.rrobserver.com/news/hockey-expected-to-return-to-rio-rancho/article_805df111-917f-5243-b820-4127b4bb2923.html

https://www.rrobserver.com/news/game-on-again-echl-hope-may-be-alive-after-all/article_123b84ac-c082-5c00-be85-b712b7840b6c.html

https://www.koat.com/article/pro-hockey-could-be-coming-back-to-new-mexico/42992778

 

[RedLightDistrict]

This job posting via Teamwork Online would appear to lend some credibility to the initial rumor. Although the location of the expansion franchise isn’t indicated - it seems that this is something that has already gotten a tacit rubber stamp by the ECHL.

 

[JMCx4]

This job posting via Teamwork Online would appear to lend some credibility to the initial rumor. Although the location of the expansion franchise isn’t indicated - it seems that this is something that has already gotten a tacit rubber stamp by the ECHL.

Under the "tacit" category, it could be a "Well, they didn't say 'no' ..." situation for the wannabe expansion franchise owners & they need to hire a GM to convince the League that it's a serious attempt to join.

 

[Atlantian]

The reason New Mexico has been so on-again off-again with the ECHL is there were two groups competing to put a team in Rio Rancho. The groups have since merged and it seems like this push has legitimate backing and support from both the city and the league.

 

[VaCaps Fan]

New Mexico is an interesting market…

 

[JMCx4]

New Mexico is an interesting market…

Tell that to the Six Guns, and the Chaparrals, and the Scorpions (1 & 2).

 

[Atlantian]

Tell that to the Six Guns, and the Chaparrals, and the Scorpions (1 & 2).

He never said good. All three of those are incredible brands for the region for the times.

 

[Bear of Bad News]

The reason New Mexico has been so on-again off-again with the ECHL is there were two groups competing to put a team in Rio Rancho. The groups have since merged and it seems like this push has legitimate backing and support from both the city and the league.

Provide a source, please.

 

[Hurricane Ron]

If Albuquerque got a team in the ECHL, they'd have a day's travel time to Utah, Allen, Tulsa and Wichita. And Albuquerque would make a good spot for Allen, Tulsa and Wichita to stop on a road trip to Lake Tahoe.

However, as JMCx4 stated so well, the long term viability of any team placed in New Mexico is questionable.

 

[VaCaps Fan]

He never said good. All three of those are incredible brands for the region for the times.

Farm team to the scouts a year early is rough.