ECHL in New Mexico in 2026-27?

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Martin Veillette

Registered User
Feb 19, 2019
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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.
 
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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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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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.

And most importantly the ECHL footprint grows ever closer to the crown jewel of minor league hockey: Prescott, AZ 😍
 
Could your area support ECHL?
Could? Yes. Would? VERY unlikely. The vast majority of STL Metro area hockey fans believe Pro Hockey & St. Louis Blues Hockey are synonymous. Some might occasionally attend an ECHL game *if* the team had an affiliation with the Blues, which under current Blues ownership just ain't happenin'.
 
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