NA Now: El Paso Rhinos
The NA Now video series features an in-depth look into all NAHL teams as they prepare for the 2026-27 season. One team will be highlighted every day, leading up to the start of the regular season on September 11, 2026. Each interview features each team’s head coach, as they dive into detail on the expectations and outlooks for this upcoming season.
El Paso Rhinos
Head Coach: Mike Rivera (3rd season)
2025-26 Regular Season Record: 33-19-2-5 – 73 points (3rd in South Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Troy Hunka (28-57–85)
2026 Postseason: Lost South Division Final Series to the Lone Star Brahmas (3-0)
2026-27 Division: South Division
Location: El Paso, Texas
Formation Year: 2021 (6th season)
Head coach of the El Paso Rhinos, Mike Rivera, provides insight on the upcoming 2026-27 roster and what it means to have veterans coming back to the South Division club.
“I think it's crucial to have returnable players that can come in and they understand exactly how us as a staff want things done from a culture standpoint, practices, and the pace that we move at. It's kind of like starting on the 20-yard line to start a season rather than starting on the goal line.”
Rivera is coming off an organizational-best postseason run with the Rhinos this past year. He shares more on how it felt to see his team have so much success down the stretch and how they are looking to continue the momentum into the 2026-27 campaign.
Next up: Danbury Hat Tricks
