Mammoth Retires Prout’S Number 9 Jersey

On Sunday, the Colorado Mammoth retired the number-9 jersey worn for nine years by former team captain Gavin Prout in a pregame ceremony on HealthONE Field at Pepsi Center (WATCH). Flocked by family, friends and former teammates, Prout’s performance stole the show just as it did so often during his playing days.

“I have so many fond memories here at the Pepsi Center over the nine seasons I played here, and there are so many people responsible for my success…” said the humble 37-year-old.

The franchise’s all-time leader in points (664) and assists (459) is arguably the most popular player to ever don the burgundy, silver and black. He was a fearless leader on the field and the undisputed voice of reason in the locker room.

“I have had bloody battles each and every time I stepped on the floor,” Prout said. “Yet the decision to retire was one of the toughest battles I have had to come to terms with so far in my life.”

Mammoth president and general manager Steve Govett evoked memories of seasons past as he addressed the crowd, proudly professing his adoration for a man he now calls a life-long friend.

“There is no question in my mind that Gavin Prout drew the hearts of other men to him.  He was a leader of the highest order. You somehow always knew that when you entered a game with Gavin at your front, that something special was bound to happen.”

And more often than not, it did. Prout captained the Mammoth to the 2006 Champion’s Cup and earned postseason MVP honors in the process.

“Never in the history of this franchise has one player possessed so much charisma, so much magnetism that the players and fans alike were drawn to him and wanted to be near him,” continued Govett. “He had an incandescence that drew you in like a flame that mesmerizes the night sky. That flame burned bright within Gavin Prout.”

A captain for six of his nine seasons in Colorado, on Sunday Prout’s jersey became the third retired by the organization joining Gary Gait (number 22) and Brian Langtry (number 6).

Prout’s last season in the National Lacrosse League was in 2013 with Colorado. 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.