The Denver Grizzlies of the International Hockey League have a special place in the hearts of many Colorado Avalanche fans. They spent one season in Denver, playing out of McNichols Sports Arena during
the 1994–95 season, winning the Turner Cup in their only season in Colorado. Even though the Utah Grizzlies were not technically the same franchise, the connection with the fanbase has always been there.
When the Colorado Avalanche needed a new ECHL affiliate with the Colorado Eagles moving to the American Hockey League, the choice seemed obvious. Nostalgia and location made the pick easy for the Avalanche in 2017 to bring the Utah Grizzlies into the organization. Ever since then, the Grizzlies have served as the ECHL affiliate of the Avalanche, feeding players to the Eagles in the AHL.
Two years ago, the owner of the Utah Grizzlies, David Elmore, passed away, leaving the team to a group of owners. In May of this year, the sudden death of the General Manager of the Maverik Center, President & CEO of the Utah Grizzlies, Kevin Bruder, put everything into question. Only a month later, the Grizzlies announced they were looking to sell and relocate. As of September 9th, the organization announced that this will be their last season in Utah. Ownership will be selling the team and a moving to Trenton, New Jersey.
The question now becomes, who will fill the void for the Grizzlies? Colorado will probably want to sign a new agreement with another ECHL club in order to continue development. The answer may lie in the state just south of Colorado. The New Mexico Goatheads will begin play in the 2026–27 season and have not announced an NHL affiliation yet. Their location makes them a perfect fit for the Avalanche. They will play in Rancho Rio, New Mexico, a suburb of Albuquerque. The Avalanche and the Eagles have been pushing the phrase “Hockey Highway,” and are just 20 minutes from I-25. The Goatheads’ colors are also burgundy and blue.
Signing the Goatheads as an affiliate only makes sense for the Avalanche. They are roughly the same distance away as the Grizzlies, and this would keep the affiliate in the next state over. Most organizations are moving teams so they are as close as possible to keep better track of them. Some organizations, like Montreal and Philadelphia, have all three levels within an hour of each other. It will only benefit the Eagles by keeping the ECHL affiliate so close and benefit the Avalanche.
