Zack Stortini Appointed First Head Coach of New Mexico Goatheads

The Colorado Avalanche have made a significant move in establishing their ECHL affiliate, the New Mexico Goatheads, by naming Zack Stortini as the franchise’s inaugural head coach. Announced on Friday, this decision marks a new chapter for the team as it prepares for its first season.

Stortini, 40, comes to the Goatheads after an impressive four-year stint as an assistant coach with the AHL’s Tucson Roadrunners, where he contributed to a solid record of 141-116-26-5. Under his guidance, the Roadrunners reached the Calder Cup Playoffs for three consecutive seasons from 2022 to 2025, showcasing his ability to develop talent effectively.

“We’re happy to welcome Zack to the Avalanche and Goatheads organizations,” said Avalanche scout Mike Battaglia, who oversees ECHL operations. “Over his first seven years coaching in the AHL and OHL, Zack has established himself as a rising coach, and we feel he’s a great fit for the Goatheads as we embark on their inaugural season.”

Prior to his time in Tucson, Stortini honed his coaching skills with the OHL’s Sudbury Wolves. He served as an assistant coach from 2019 to 2021 before being elevated to associate coach for the 2021-22 season. His experience includes mentoring several young players, notably Michael Carcone, who led the AHL in scoring with 85 points during the 2022-23 season, and Josh Doan, who earned AHL All-Rookie Team honors with 26 goals in the following year.

For Stortini, this position marks his first head coaching role at the professional level. “I am grateful to the organization for the opportunity to be the first head coach of the Goatheads, and am really looking forward to leading the new ECHL club,” he expressed. He extended his gratitude to REV Entertainment, Jared Johnson, and Mike Battaglia, as well as the entire Goatheads organization and the Rio Rancho community, emphasizing his eagerness to start the season.

Before transitioning into coaching, Stortini had a notable playing career. Selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the third round of the 2003 NHL Draft, he played parts of 15 seasons, appearing in 860 games across the NHL and AHL. His NHL tenure included 257 games with the Oilers and Nashville Predators, where he recorded 14 goals and 41 points. Known for his physical style and leadership qualities, Stortini amassed over 1,825 penalty minutes and served as captain or alternate captain in various teams, including Sudbury and Binghamton. He was also a three-time nominee for the AHL’s Yanick Dupre Memorial Award, recognizing his contributions to the community.

The Goatheads will play out of the Rio Rancho Events Center and are gearing up for their inaugural season under the ownership of REV Entertainment. The franchise recently appointed Jared Johnson as general manager, who previously had a successful tenure with the SPHL’s Huntsville Havoc, where he oversaw operations and ticketing.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.