Prout Announces Departure as General Manager

By Mark Stehlin

On April 29, 2024, the Brooklin Lacrosse Club (BLC) announced the appointment of Gavin Prout as General Manager (GM) for the Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) Brooklin Lacrosse Club (BLC) and the Ontario Series Lacrosse (OSL) Brooklin Merchants. Today, after three successful seasons, we announce that Prout has decided to step back from his role. An announcement on a successor will be forthcoming.


“When I first was asked to be the general manager of the Brooklin lacrosse teams over three seasons ago I was a little apprehensive as I know how well run the organizations have been in all the years I was involved as a coach or player. That being said I took the job and as I familiarized myself with the responsibilities and people I became more and more comfortable in the role,” said Prout. 

 

“The volunteers are what really makes this organization run and I am grateful to be surrounded by so many of them. I can't thank you enough,” he added.

 

“I had a few goals that I wanted to accomplish before I stepped aside and most of them have been accomplished. I believe we have grown together as an organization and we have set it up for many more successful years to come. We have an embarrassing amount of talent on both teams and any given year can be the year we win a Canadian championship. I look forward to witnessing that in the near future. The board and coaches spend countless thankless hours preparing for the season which makes my job easier with all the assistance I have received,” said Prout.

 

“I will still be involved assisting both teams next year as well. I just am not able to be the point person anymore. Once again it has been an honour to serve the coaches, players, fans, and board the past few years,” added Prout.


The shift from the Brad MacArthur era to one that saw Prout at the helm signaled a change for the club.


“When Brad MacArthur informed me that he was going be stepping down from the GM role three and a half years ago, we were left with a significant hole to fill. There were several stressful weeks spent trying to find the right person for the job.  So, it was a huge relief when Gavin let me know that he was interested in taking over as GM,” said Dean Link, BLC President.


“Everyone in lacrosse knows Gavin, a star player throughout junior, NCAA, Team Canada, MSL and NLL. He has it all, talent, athleticism, a competitive spirit and high IQ.  When his playing days were over he brought the same characteristics to coaching. So to have Gavin join the organization as GM for the BLC and Merchants, it was a great boost. His appointment brought instant and well-earned credibility among our coaches, players and the entire OSL and MSL,” added Link.


“Over the last three seasons Gavin accomplished a great deal. He built two tremendous rosters, organized our golf tournaments, and led the successful bid to host the 2025 Presidents Cup.  We have been very fortunate to have Gavin lend his talents to the Brooklin organization and I’m very thankful for all that he has done for us,” said Link.


It was MacArthur who set the relationship between BLC and the Merchants in motion and Prout took that idea to a new level.  As GM, he constantly balanced the needs of both teams and inserted players into the line-up with feedback from both sets of coaches.


“Gavin has been instrumental in building the foundation to both the BLC and as well the Brooklin Merchants. It has been both an honour and a pleasure working with him, and he will be missed. He did a tremendous amount of work for two high class organizations . On top of that Gavin was the mastermind behind the tall task of hosting the 2025 Presidents Cup,” said BLC head coach Joel Johnson.

 

“The organizations will continue to grow and prosper from the footprint that Gavin has cultivated for years to come. Everywhere in lacrosse that Gavin has left his mark has celebrated success, in every facet of the sport,” added Johnson.

 

“Having a front row seat to the effort, passion, and dedication that he put into his role is inspiring and part of the culture we pride ourselves on from our roots. On behalf of the players and the coaching staff we thank him immensely  and wish him all the best and he will always be a foundational pillar of Brooklin Lacrosse family,” said Johnson.


Prout devoted equal amounts of time to the development of both programs under the BLC brand.


“I came on as head coach of the Brooklin Merchants at the same time that Gavin was named the GM of the organization. It was a perfect match, because our beliefs and philosophy on lacrosse and our expectations and standards are aligned,” said Ryan Degerdon, head coach, Brooklin Merchants.

“We both had a vision of how the Merchants could be a catalyst for the BLC. We discussed where the young talent would play and be coached and seasoned on how to perform and carry themselves at the next level of lacrosse and be on a team that would be a perennial contender for not just the OSL championship but also at the National level for the Presidents Cup”, added Degerdon.

“Having Gavin take a step back is obviously a tough pill to swallow, not only as the coach of the Merchants, but just his presence around the arena and locker room will impact the players and game day staff. We all know what kind of player Gavin was, he's a hall of famer.  The work ethic and drive that made him that kind of player is what he brought to this organization and has made it to what it is today, and I hope people can see that. As legendary of lacrosse player as he was, he's an even better person.  I wish Gavin nothing but the best going forward, and he's knows he will always be welcomed with open arms,” said Degerdon. 

 

By the Numbers


BLC 2024

  • Regular season record of 9-3 good for 2nd overall in the MSL.
  • Defeated the Brampton Excelsiors 3-0 in 1st round playoffs.
  • Lost to the Peterborough Lakers 4-0 in 2nd round playoffs.


Merchants 2024 

  • Regular season record of 13-3 good for 2nd overall in MSL.
  • Defeated Hamilton 3-0 in 1st round playoffs.
  • Lost to Six Nations 3-1 in 2nd round playoffs.


BLC 2025

  • Regular season record of 11-7 good for 3rd overall in MSL.
  • Lost to Peterborough 4-3 in 1st round of playoffs.


Merchants 2025

  • Regular season record 14-2 good for 1st overall in OSL.
  • Defeated Owen Sound 3-0 in 1st round playoffs.
  • Defeated Six Nations Rivermen 3-0 in 2nd round playoffs.
  • Crowned OSL champions.
  • Hosted Presidents Cup and were defeated in final by the Snake Island Muskies.


BLC 2026

  • Regular season record of 10-8 good for 5th overall in MSL
  • Missed MSL playoffs


Merchants 2026

  • Regular season record 10-2 good for 2nd overall in OSL.
  • Defeated Owen Sound 3-0 in 1st round of playoffs.
  • Lost to Six Nations Rivermen 3-2 in 2nd round of playoffs.