Former Oilers' Tough Guy Becomes Avalanche Echl Coach

The Colorado Avalanche announced on Saturday that the organization has hired Zack Stortini as the head coach of the franchise’s ECHL affiliate, the New Mexico Goatheads.

“We’re happy to welcome Zack to the Avalanche and Goatheads organizations,” Avalanche Scout Mike Battaglia, who oversees ECHL operations for the Avs. “Over his first seven years coaching in the AHL and OHL, Zack has established himself as a rising coach, and we feel he’s a great fit for the Goatheads as we embark on their inaugural season.”

We have announced today that the organization has hired Zack Stortini as the head coach of the franchise’s ECHL affiliate, the New Mexico Goatheads. pic.twitter.com/UIbqIOT0mM

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) June 20, 2026

Stortini spent parts of six seasons in the NHL, five of which were with the Edmonton Oilers. 

Selected by the Oilers in the third round of the 2003 NHL Draft, Stortini played parts of 15 professional seasons, appearing in 860 games across the NHL and AHL.

He made his NHL debut on January 20, 2007, against the Calgary Flames, and played all but one of his 257 NHL games with the Oilers. Through his 257 NHL appearances, he tallied 41 points (14g/27a). He was known primarily as an enforcer and physical presence rather than a scorer.

In 2011, he became a full-time minor league player. His 603 AHL games were spread across teams including the Charlotte Checkers, San Jose Barracuda, Binghamton Senators, Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Norfolk Admirals, Milwaukee Admirals, Oklahoma City Barons, Hamilton Bulldogs, and others, totalling 109 points (55g/54a). 

He accumulated 1,825 penalty minutes during his professional career and served as captain or alternate captain at multiple stops. He was also a three-time nominee for the AHL's Yanick Dupre Memorial Award for community contributions.

Stortini did get chances to return to the NHL, hoping to breakthrough in preseason with the Ottawa Senators and Philadelphia Flyers. He did not make either team. 

After retiring, he returned to the Sudbury Wolves of the OHL as an assistant coach. Most recently, he spent the last four seasons as an assistant coach with the AHL's Tucson Roadrunners before being named the first head coach of the new ECHL expansion team, the New Mexico Goatheads.

Congratulations to Zack Stortini. 

Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest news, game-day coverage, and more. Add us to your Google News favourites, and never miss a story.