The ice at Santa Ana Star Center is gone.

A new head coach for the New Mexico Scorpions has signed his contract.

Most of the players signed for the 2007-08 season are in their native Canada; more signings will occur. The schedule is finalized and training camp starts next weekend.

The first home game -- mark the date down -- is Oct. 19 when the Laredo Bucks, the last team the Scorpions faced here last season, visit for a 7:15 p.m. contest.

But that doesn't mean things are quiet in the Scorpions' offices at the Star Center.

Melissa Gomez, director of special events, which includes game operations, has been working hard to get the team's name out there and maintain a hockey presence in Rio Rancho and the Albuquerque metro area.

"We want to be part of the community; (new head coach Randy Murphy) has said that much (to the players). 'Your job is not only playing on the ice but being in the community,'" she said.

After the team was off the ice in the 2005-06 season, attendance was at an all-time low when the team skated in its 10th season of competition but its first in Rio Rancho in 2006-07.

In recent weeks, the team has had a presence at the New Mexico State Fair and the New Mexico Amateur Hockey Association player registration, plus a ReadWest event at Haynes Park and a Chile Bowl-a-thon at Starlight Lanes at Santa Ana Star Casino.

Stanley the Scorpion, the team's mascot, even got some air time during the Muscular Dystrophy Association's annual Labor Day fundraiser on a local TV station.

And Gomez has a plethora of events locked and loaded - some at the Star Center, some elsewhere -- for the coming months (Keep in mind, some others await finalizing.):

Sept. 29: Konrad Reeder, one of the first players re-signed for the coming season, Stanley and new head coach Randy Murphy appeared at Safehouse's "Run for Cover," a benefit for the battered women's shelter, at Elliott's in Albuquerque. Later Saturday, Reeder, Murphy and Stanley tailgated before the Lobos' football game with BYU. "It's a thank-you to our season ticket-holders," Gomez said.

Oct. 14: Meet the Team, Ace Hardware on Tramway Blvd. in Albuquerque. Season ticket-holders may pick up their ducats at Ace that day.

Oct. 27: Appearance at second annual Rio Rancho fire department open house on Southern Blvd.

Nov. 3: Rio Rancho High School and Youth Hockey Night, with a celebration to be worked out between periods to give credit to northern New Mexico hockey associations.

Nov. 7: Hockey clinic at the Boys & Girls Club in Rio Rancho, 4:30-6 p.m. in the gymnasium.

Nov. 10: Salute to the Military Night at the Scorpions' game with the Arizona Sundogs.

Nov. 30: "Pets and Pucks Night," with pet owners invited to bring their family pets. (No llamas, please.) Also pet adoptions available, and information on pet awareness.

Dec. 1: "Toys for Tots Night."

Dec. 15: Annual "Teddy Bear Toss" game.

Dec. 18: School Day Game, with Rio Rancho elementary school kids attending a 10:30 a.m. contest.

Jan. 20: Special Olympics (poly) hockey clinic in the parking lot of the Star Center.

Feb. 2: Salute to the Badges, special events and breaks on ticket prices for servicemen and servicewomen, plus area police and firefighters, plus EMTs. A jersey auction following that evening's game with the Austin Ice Bats.

Feb. 9: Girl Scouts Night.

Feb. 29: Boy Scouts Night.

Also in the works are:

Big Brothers Big Sisters "Little Scorp of the Night," set for Saturday home games;

"Fish with the Scorpions," in conjunction with Charlie's Sporting Goods in Albuquerque, with fans getting a chance to fish on a lake with some of the players;

a "Habitat for Humanity" project;

blood drives with United Blood Services on Jan. 5 and 19, and food drives in November and December with Storehouse West; and

continued visits by players and Stanley to UNM Children's Hospital and Carrie Tingley Hospital.

The team also has partnered with "Join A School," an Albuquerque Public Schools program in which the team will work with James Monroe and McKinley middle schools and Sierra Vista Elementary; and the Rio Rancho Education Foundation to become a part pf "Education Stars."

Gomez said Murphy also tries to find time to visit community organizations as part of the team's Speaker's Bureau.