NEW MEXICO ICE WOLVES AND OUTPOST ICE ARENA ADD TWO COACHES AHEAD OF NEW SEASON
Austin Alkire Joins the NM Ice Wolves NAHL Team as Assistant Coach Patrick Wyers Joins the Outpost Ice Arena Coaching Staff Working with Youth Teams, Camps & Clinics, and also Skills Development for NAHL Team and NAH3L Development Team
NM Ice Wolves Start the Season with a Huge Home Opening Weekend on Friday & Saturday, September 11 & 12, 2026 Against South Division Rival Odessa Jackalopes
(Albuquerque, NM) Thursday, September 3, 2026 — The New Mexico Ice Wolves and Outpost Ice Arenas today announced two new coaches in Austin Alkire and Patrick Wyers. Alkire was named Assistant Coach for the NAHL NM Ice Wolves and will also help as needed with the NA3HL and youth teams. Wyers was named to the Outpost Ice Arena hockey coaching staff where he will work with youth teams, camps and clinics as well as skills development for both the NAHL team and NA3HL development team.
Austin Alkire A Pittsburgh, PA native Alkire joins the NM Ice Wolves after working as the Assistant Video Coach/Hockey Operations at Robert Morris University for their D1 NCAA Men’s team. Before that Alkire coached Knoch High School (USHS-PA) in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League (PIHL) from 2021 to 2024.
“I want to thank Kyle and Stan for the opportunity. I look to bring a high work ethic, grit and dedication to the New Mexico Ice Wolves organization,” said Alkire. “It is imperative for me to learn from the staff and players here and to lead with the New Mexico standard in mind. To be a part of something that is bigger than yourself is a privilege. I’m looking forward to the season ahead.”
“We are very excited to have Austin join our staff,” said Kyle McKenzie, NM Ice Wolves Head Coach and General Manager. “He brings exceptional work ethic to our organization along with a willingness to learn and grow. Austin, welcome to your Ice Wolves family!”
Patrick Wyers A native of Minnetonka, Minnesota, Wyers joins the Outpost Ice Arena coaching staff where he will serve as head coach for the U18 team, work with the youth program and Outpost camps and clinics. Wyers will also help as Player Development Coach for the NAHL team and NA3HL development team. Wyers most recently played at Gustavus Adolphus College where he competed at the NCAA Division III level. Wyers played forward and developed through several levels of junior hockey before advancing to the NCAA. His junior career included time in both the NAHL and NA3HL with organizations including the Austin Bruins, Aberdeen Wings, North Iowa Bulls, Oklahoma City Blazers and Willmar WarHawks. During his final junior season, Wyers produced 44 points in 35 games between Oklahoma City and Willmar before committing to Gustavus Adolphus College.
“I’m extremely excited to welcome Pat to the NM Ice Wolves coaching staff working with our junior teams while also playing a major role in the development of our youth players at Outpost Ice Arena,” said Ben Danford, Director of Hockey at Outpost Ice Arena. “Having someone who has recently gone through the junior and NCAA hockey experience is a tremendous resource for our players. Pat understands what it takes to continue developing, competing and advancing to the next level and our players will benefit from his experience and perspective.”
Wyers’ experience progressing from Minnesota youth hockey through junior hockey and into the NCAA provides him with a strong understanding of the development process and what players need to continue advancing to higher levels of the game.
NAHL NM Ice Wolves
The NAHL NM Ice Wolves enter their eighth season with second-year Head Coach and General Manager Kyle McKenzie and Assistant Coach Austin Alkire after finishing the prior season second in the South Division. The 2026-2027 NAHL season opening weekend starts next Friday, September 11 and Saturday, September 12 as the NM Ice Wolves welcome South Division rival Odessa Jackalopes with both games at 6:30pm MT. Single game tickets start at $18 for Reserved Bleacher Seats and $31 for Reserved Stadium Chair Seats. Tickets can be purchased at https://tickets.nmicewolves.com/.
The team has two hospitality suites available on a single game basis. Suites come with light snacks and fountain drinks and catering options, including adult beverages, are available for an additional charge. The Land of Enchantment Suite starts at $499 and seats 32, and the Sandia Suite starts at $599 and seats 42. Anyone interested in reserving a suite for a group or special event can contact suites@nmicewolves.com for more information. Suite hosts have the ability to treat their guests with tailor-made selections of beer, wine, spirits and signature cocktails through an option to add a bar via 312 Mobile Bar & Liquor Service.
To learn more about the NM Ice Wolves NAHL team, please visit the team website nmicewolves.com or on social media on X, Facebook, TikTok or Instagram and the arena at www.outposticearena.com. The NM Ice Wolves are also on YouTube where fans can watch every episode of the We Are Ice Wolves series taking viewers inside the pack following the team
through this season, and previous seasons, showing the life of junior hockey players developing within the NM Ice Wolves organization and community.
NA3HL NM Ice Wolves Development Team The NA3HL NM Ice Wolves development team enters their fifth season with second-year Head Coach and General Manager Isaac Washburn in the South Division. The 2026-2027 NA3HL development team’s season opening weekend starts Friday, September 18, Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20 as the team welcome South Division rival West Texas Wranglers with both Friday and Saturday games at 6:30pm MT and Sunday’s game at 2pm MT. Single game tickets start at $10.75 for Reserved Bleacher Seats and $15.75 for Reserved Stadium Chair Seats. Tickets can be purchased at https://tickets.3hlnmicewolves.com/.
To learn more about the NM Ice Wolves NA3HL development team, please visit the team website 3hlnmicewolves.com or on social media on X, Facebook or Instagram.
About NAHL Celebrating its 52nd season in 2026-27, the NAHL is the oldest and one of only two USA Hockey Certified tuition-free junior hockey leagues. Boasting 36 teams across the U.S., the NAHL develops young men through hockey while providing those with college hockey aspirations a place to play, develop, and advance. The NAHL continues to be one of the best places in the world at advancing players to the NCAA and eventually professional hockey.
The NAHL is part of the USA Hockey National Junior Development Model, which includes the USHL, the US National Team Development Program and the NA3HL where the NM Ice Wolves have a development team that also plays at the Outpost Ice Arena. The NAHL works closely with NCAA College Hockey, the NHL, the USHL, and USA Hockey’s National Development Program in order best serve as an imperative piece in the development system for collegiate and professional hockey.
During the 2025-26 season, the NAHL had 410 NCAA committed players with 54% of those being NCAA Division I commitments. Additionally, 23% of all NCAA Division I freshmen played hockey in the NAHL. Over the course of the last eight seasons, 2,190+ NAHL players have made NCAA commitments and 36 have been drafted into the NHL.
About NA3HL Entering its 17th season in 2026-27, the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) stands as the only USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier III junior league in the country. Widely recognized as one of the premier development platforms at its level, the NA3HL offers unmatched coaching, exposure, and advancement opportunities for student-athletes.
No other Tier III league has moved more players on to the North American Hockey League (NAHL) than the NA3HL. Through enhanced initiatives and strengthened collaboration with the
NAHL, more NA3HL players are earning opportunities to play, practice, and secure college commitments through the NAHL than ever before.
The NA3HL continues to serve as a vital part of the NAHL’s developmental pipeline. For the upcoming 2026-27 season, 35 NA3HL players have signed NAHL tender agreements, and 27 more were selected in the 2026 NAHL Draft. Beyond internal advancement, the NA3HL is also a national leader in moving players on to collegiate hockey. In 2025, the league has already surpassed 100 college commitments, with athletes continuing their careers at both the NCAA and ACHA levels.
To date, the NA3HL proudly claims over 330 alumni playing NCAA hockey, including 25 at the Division I level and 312 in Division III, as well as more than 750 alumni competing in the ACHA. The league takes great pride in supporting its player’ ongoing pursuit of academic and athletic excellence at the next level.
