RIO RANCHO, N.M. – The New Mexico Goatheads, the ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Colorado Avalanche and American Hockey League’s Colorado Eagles, have signed forward Artem Pugachev to a contract for the upcoming 2026-27 season.
Pugachev joins the Goatheads after spending the 2025-26 season with Izhstal Izhevsk of the VHL, where he appeared in 54 regular-season games and recorded 13 points (5g-8a). He also added a goal in five playoff appearances. The 2026-27 season will mark Pugachev’s first season playing professionally in North America.
Over the past four seasons, Pugachev has developed his game in the VHL, one of Russia’s top professional leagues. He began his professional career with Zvezda Moskva during the 2022-23 season, posting seven points (3g-4a) in 37 games.
Following two seasons with Zvezda, Pugachev split the 2024-25 campaign between Yunison-Moskva and Molot Perm before joining Izhstal Izhevsk for the 2025-26 season. His 13 points and five goals that year both represented new professional career highs.
Before turning professional, Pugachev played the 2021-22 season in Finland with KalPa U20, where he tallied 19 points (10g-9a) across 35 regular-season games. He contributed two goals in eight postseason contests.
