The New Mexico Goatheads will receive six players from the Colorado Eagles, the team’s AHL affiliate, ahead of the inaugural 2026-27 season.

Forwards Francesco Arcuri, Evan Friesen and Rilen Kovacevic, defenseman Chris Hedden, and goaltenders Hunter Miska and Isaiah Saville will join New Mexico after participating in training camp with the Eagles.

Arcuri comes to New Mexico after recording 43 points (22 goals, 21 assists) in 60 games with the Idaho Steelheads last season. The 23-year-old has appeared in 154 career ECHL games, totaling 119 points (57 goals, 62 assists), along with five games of AHL experience. A sixth-round selection of the Dallas Stars in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, Arcuri signed an AHL two-way contract with Colorado in August.

Friesen spent his rookie professional season with the Utah Grizzlies in 2025-26, recording 46 points (27 goals, 19 assists) in 72 games. His 27 goals ranked second on Utah and third among all ECHL rookies. The 22-year-old originally signed with Colorado prior to last season and returns to the organization on an AHL two-way contract.

Kovacevic also spent last season in the Avalanche organization after signing an AHL contract with Colorado in 2025. The 22-year-old appeared in five games with Utah during his first professional season. Prior to turning pro, Kovacevic recorded 128 points (59 goals, 69 assists) in 225 WHL games and helped the Moose Jaw Warriors capture the 2024 WHL Championship.

Hedden joins New Mexico after completing his collegiate career at Air Force and making his professional debut with Colorado last season. The 24-year-old defenseman recorded 34 points (12 goals, 22 assists) in 37 games during his senior season and finished his Air Force career with 108 points. Hedden was named Atlantic Hockey America’s Best Defenseman and earned First All-Star Team and Second Team All-American honors following the 2025-26 season.

Miska brings significant experience to the Goatheads crease with 125 career AHL appearances and six games of NHL experience with the Colorado Avalanche and Arizona Coyotes. The 31-year-old previously spent three seasons with the Eagles, posting a 31-15-6 record across 52 games. Miska spent last season with Utah before signing an AHL contract to return to Colorado in August.

Saville joins the Avalanche organization for the first time this season after signing an AHL contract with Colorado in September. The 25-year-old appeared in 29 games with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits last season and also went 6-1-2 with a 1.91 goals-against average, .916 save percentage and two shutouts in eight AHL appearances with the Ontario Reign. A fifth-round selection of the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Saville has appeared in 48 career AHL games.

The six players will now head to New Mexico as the Goatheads continue preparations for their inaugural training camp and the beginning of the 2026-27 ECHL season.

New Mexico opens its inaugural regular season on Friday, Oct. 16 against the Idaho Steelheads at the Rio Rancho Events Center