The New Mexico Goatheads have added some international experience to their roster.The Colorado Avalanches ECHL affiliate announced the signings of forward Artem Pugachev on Tuesday and defenseman Derek Daschke on Thursday for the 2026-27 season, which begins Oct. 16 at the Rio Rancho Events Center.The two are the fifth and sixth players, respectively, to join the first-year franchise.Pugachev, a 5-foot-11, 181-pound native of Moscow, spent the past four seasons playing in the All-Russian Hockey League, the countrys second tier behind the Kontinental Hockey League. This will be his first foray into North American hockey.The 25-year old appeared in 54 regular-season games for Izhstal Izhevsk in 2025-26 and recorded five goals and eight assists. During his VHL career, Pugachev has scored nine goals and tallied 16 assists in 135 games.Daschke, meanwhile, is returning to the ECHL after splitting last season between the AHLs Abbotsford Canucks, ECHLs Kalamazoo Wings and Lukko of Liiga, Finlands top professional league. Between the three, the 6-foot-2, 194-pounder finished with seven goals and five assists in 32 games.A native of Troy, Michigan, Daschkes most productive professional season came with the Utah Grizzlies in 2024-25. He recorded 17 goals and 39 assists in 65 games on his way to All-ECHL first-team honors.Over his four both full and partial ECHL seasons, Daschke has appeared in 156 games, scored 39 times and assisted on 70 goals. He played his college hockey at Minnesota-Duluth before transferring to Miami (Ohio).David Glovach covers New Mexico United and other sports for the Journal. Reach him at dglovach@abqjournal.com or via X @DavidGlovach.More New Mexico Goatheads reading*Goatheads continue to get defensive1st-year ECHL franchise adds blueliners Emmett Serensits and Brandon Chabrier*Goatheads add another forward to rosterLynden Breen is the 3rd player signed by the 1st-year ECHL franchise*Goatheads focus on defense with 2nd signingTrevor Zins joins Avalanche's ECHL affiliate for inaugural season*Goatheads bring former ECHL standout on staff3-time Kelly Cup winner Matt Register joins Avalanche's minor-league affiliate*Goatheads sign 1st player to inaugural rosterAvalanche's minor-league affiliate brings on forward Grant Ahcan for the 2026-27 season*Goatheads new head coach brings strong roots to roleZack Stortini's former coaches, Mike Vellucci and Ryan Warsofsky, helped set the path to his own top job*New Mexico Goatheads announce home opener dateThe ECHL expansion team will bring professional hockey back to New Mexico for the first time in nearly 20 years*'Love letter to Albuquerque': Jack Justice puts on directing hat for first time with 'Goatheads'