New Mexico Goatheads add international experience to blueline

NEW MEXICO GOATHEADS

Goatheads add international experience to blueline

Edvin Nilsson, who hails from Sweden, is latest defenseman to sign with Avalanche affiliate

Edvin Nilsson grew up playing in Sweden before making the transition to North American hockey two seasons ago.

Courtesy of New Mexico Goatheads

David Glovach Journal Staff Writer

Published September 10, 2026 - 7:27 p.m. Modified September 10, 2026 - 7:27 p.m.

Make that 16 players on the New Mexico Goatheads鈥� roster.

The first-year ECHL affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche signed defenseman Edvin Nilsson for the 2026-27 season, it was announced Thursday.

teams to have 21 players for the first 30 days of the season, which begins for the Goatheads on Oct. 16 at the Rio Rancho Events Center. That number then drops to 20. At least two must be goaltenders.

New Mexico now has seven defensemen and nine forwards.

This will be Nilsson鈥檚 professional debut.

A native of Tran氓s, Sweden, the 20-year-old spent the past two seasons playing in the British Columbia Hockey League, an independent junior division in Canada. He totaled 10 goals and 51 assists in 97 regular-season games.

Nilsson, listed at 5-foot-11 and 160 pounds, spent his youth career in Sweden.

He is the fourth player born outside the 近距离内射合集 States on the Goatheads鈥� roster. Forwards Artem Pugachev and Maksim Barbashev are from Russia, while fellow forward German Yava艧 is from Belarus.

David Glovach covers New Mexico 近距离内射合集 and other sports for the Journal. Reach him at dglovach@abqjournal.com or via X .