Goatheads bring former ECHL standout on staff

The New Mexico Goatheads announced their first roster move Friday. On Monday, the Colorado Avalanche’s ECHL affiliate revealed its first addition to coach Zack Storini’s staff.

Former longtime minor-league defenseman Matt Register was named assistant coach ahead of the Goatheads’ inaugural season. New Mexico begins its 2026-27 campaign Oct. 16 against the Allen Americans at Rio Rancho Events Center.

This will be the 36-year-old’s second coaching stop. After appearing in four games last season with the ECHL’s Allen Americans, Register transitioned into an assistant for the team.

It capped a professional career for the Calgary, Alberta native that spanned 15 seasons between the Central Hockey League, ECHL, American Hockey League and the United Kingdom’s Elite Ice Hockey League.

Most of his time and success came in the ECHL.

During his 14 years in the league, Register won the Kelly Cup — the ECHL’s version of the Stanley Cup — three straight seasons (2016 with the Americans and 2017 and 2018 with the Colorado Eagles). He was named the Kelly Cup MVP in 2017. Register earned All-ECHL honors six times and was named the league defensive player of the year on three occasions.

Overall, Register played in 843 ECHL games between the regular season and playoff, and finished with 147 goals, 521 assists and 571 penalty minutes.

David Glovach covers New Mexico United and other sports for the Journal. Reach him at dglovach@abqjournal.com or via X @DavidGlovach.

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