Mammoth's Coyle's last game may be behind him

By Paul Willis, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Originally published 06:44 p.m., May 4, 2008
Updated 08:43 p.m., May 4, 2008

The Colorado Mammoth's playoff loss to Calgary on Saturday not only symbolized a bitter end to a once-promising season, it also marked a likely end to venerable defenseman Pat Coyle's career.

After the 15-13 loss, in which the Mammoth surrendered a late two-goal lead and went 4-8 to finish the season after a 5-0 start, few of the disconsolate players immediately were ready to speak the media.

Those who did hinted Coyle is ready to hang up his stick and helmet.

"That's a huge loss to us on the back end," Mammoth captain Gavin Prout said. "He's a warrior, a leader and he's done everything in this league. I hope he does come back, but if he doesn't, I wish him the best and he has to move on with his life, because he's given us everything he could possibly give us."

Coyle just completed his 12th season, fourth with the Mammoth, and has been a member of five Champion's Cup squads. The first four were with the Toronto Rock, the last with the Mammoth in 2006.

"I don't want to put words in his mouth, but it's my understanding that's the way he's leaning," Mammoth general manager Steve Govett said Sunday of Coyle's possible departure, adding that the two talked before the season about this being Coyle's final campaign. "We'll probably know for sure within the next week."

Colorado believed it had the pieces to make another run at the Cup but watched any hopes of that unravel late against the Roughnecks.

"It's always tough, especially losing Coyle," Mammoth transition player Nick Carlson said. "The guy's been in the league forever and he's been our leader. Gavin's the captain, but Coyle is the voice in there."

Mammoth players also were struggling with the concept of dominating the league early before morphing into a sub-.500 club in the final 12 games.

"Teams were ready for us," Prout said. "I think that we weren't given a lot of respect at the beginning of the year. We earned that respect."

Carlson also eluded to the notion that no matter what happens, the same group won't be back next season.

"It's just sad, is what it is," Carlson said. "You put your heart on the line and your body on the line with these guys, and next year we're going to be beating up some of them."