Pugachev joins Goatheads

RIO RANCHO, N.M. - The New Mexico Goatheads, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Colorado Avalanche and American Hockey League’s Colorado Eagles, announced that the team has signed forward Artem Pugachev to a contract for the 2026-27 season.

Pugachev joins the Goatheads after spending the 2025-26 season with Izhstal Izhevsk of the VHL, appearing in 54 regular-season games and recording 13 points (5g-8a). He added a goal in five playoff appearances. The 2026-27 season will mark Pugachev's first time playing professionally in North America.

Pugachev has spent the past four seasons playing professionally in the VHL, one of Russia's top professional leagues. He began his professional career with Zvezda Moskva in 2022-23, recording seven points (3g-4a) in 37 games.

After 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 last season both marked professional career highs.

Prior to turning professional, Pugachev spent the 2021-22 season in Finland with KalPa U20, recording 19 points (10g-9a) in 35 regular-season games. He added two goals in eight postseason contests.