RIO RANCHO, N.M. – The New Mexico Goatheads, proud affiliates of the NHL's Colorado Avalanche and AHL's Colorado Eagles, announced today that the team has signed defenseman C.J. Valerian to an ECHL contract for the 2026-27 season.
Valerian, 31, joins New Mexico with professional experience across the ECHL and SPHL. The 6-foot-2, 212-pound defenseman has appeared in 41 career ECHL games with the Tahoe Knight Monsters, Reading Royals and Bloomington Bison, recording six assists and 76 penalty minutes.
Known for his physical style of play, Valerian brings a willingness to play in the hard areas and stand up for his teammates. During the 2025-26 season, he accumulated 75 penalty minutes in 27 games with the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs and another 51 penalty minutes in 21 ECHL appearances with Tahoe.
The Gates Mills, Ohio native has totaled 236 penalty minutes in 135 career SPHL regular-season games with Roanoke. Valerian also brings championship experience, having helped the Rail Yard Dawgs capture the 2023 President's Cup.
Valerian adds a physical presence and veteran experience to New Mexico's defensive group as the Goatheads continue their inaugural 2026-27 season.
The Goatheads return to the Rio Rancho Events Center on Wednesday, Nov. 4, to face the Allen Americans for Pucks and Pages Night.
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