Hockey Comes to The Desert
 

We welcomed Jared Johnson, the new General Manager of the professional hockey team coming to Rio Rancho, as our guest speaker this week.

Jared, a Knoxville, TN native, shared his inspiring journey from playing college soccer to becoming a sports management professional. He recounted his early unpaid internships in minor league hockey, the grind of growing a fanbase in Huntsville, AL, and how perseverance during COVID kept his team afloat.

He’s now building New Mexico’s first ECHL franchise from the ground up. With a home at the Rio Rancho Event Center and strong backing from Rev Entertainment (owned by the Texas Rangers), Jared’s team plans to drop the puck in October 2026, with 36 home games per season.

The team name and branding—narrowed down to Goat Heads, Cutthroats, or Tarantula Hawks—will be revealed this fall, likely during the Balloon Fiesta. Jared promises a strong emphasis on community partnerships, local youth hockey support, and charitable events. He even teased the possibility of a Rotary Night at the rink!

Visit their website now to reserve season ticket deposits and be part of New Mexico hockey history.