The Colorado Mammoth announced on Wednesday that Gavin Prout, the team’s all-time leader in points (664) and assists (459), has retired from the National Lacrosse League after signing a one-day contract with the franchise. Colorado’s captain for six seasons (2006-09, 2012-13), Prout led the Mammoth to the 2006 Champion’s Cup.
“For many years, Gavin Prout was the Colorado Mammoth,” said team president & general manager Steve Govett. “He was one of the game’s biggest stars and one of the sport’s best leaders. Gavin was instrumental in making our franchise what it is today. I wish him all the best in retirement, and thank Gavin for his unparalleled contributions to this franchise, this city and the league as a whole.”
A perennial All-Star, Prout’s crowning achievement was earning MVP honors in the 2006 championship game as part of his record-setting postseason. The Whitby, Ontario native eclipsed 90 points three times in his career, and posted 70-plus points in each of his first eight seasons in the NLL. In his 12-year career, Prout scored 301 goals and recorded 1,006 loose balls. His 621 career assists are seventh-most in league history, and his 922 points are ninth-best.
“Lacrosse has been a focal point in my life for as long as I can remember,” said Prout. “It has given me many opportunities that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. It has given me a free education at a very reputable university (Loyola), given me an opportunity to travel around North America and display my skills in the game I love, but most importantly, it has given me many friends for life. Many of these friends are directly related to the Colorado Mammoth. I have played with a few different organizations in my career, but Colorado is by far the best organization I have been affiliated with. I bled Burgundy, Silver and Black for nine seasons and loved every second of it, which is why I was so excited when Steve said he wanted to sign me so I could retire as a Colorado Mammoth. It’s this type of action that solidifies the fact that Colorado, in my opinion, is the classiest organization in the NLL. I also want to thank the fans for their unwavering support of me and the team throughout my career in Denver. The fans are truly the 7th man on the floor and gave us the extra intensity game-in and game-out to perform successfully.
“Although I wish I could continue to play for many more years, sometimes injuries get in the way and the body no longer performs the way the mind expects it to. Unfortunately for me, this is the case. Denver will always be a place I keep close to my heart. This will always be my second home and it’s the people within the organization, as well as the fans around it, that created this environment for me. Thank you all for everything you have done for me. You have made me a better lacrosse player, but more importantly, a better person.”
The Mammoth plans to honor and pay tribute to Prout and his career achievements. Details will be released at a later date.
