The Colorado Mammoth today signed forward Gavin Prout and goaltender Gord Nash to contracts today, singlehandedly scooping up two of the most-pursued free agents in National Lacrosse League history.

The Mammoth also signed young defenseman Scott Stapleford, completing a simultaneous grab of three former New York Saints. The Saints suspended operations in August.

"With today's announcement, the Mammoth is ensuring that it will remain at the top of the National Lacrosse League," general manager Steve Govett said.

"We have one goal for the upcoming season and that is to bring the Champions Cup to Colorado."

Prout, the first-overall pick in the 2001 NLL Entry Draft by New York out of Loyola College, scored 28 goals, dished out 44 assists last season, and scooped up 131 loose balls in 2003. For his career, the star playmaker has 58 goals, 96 assists, and 246 scoops.

Nash, meanwhile, developed a reputation as a stone wall behind a usually porous Saints defense. Second in the league in shots faced (799) and saves (597) last season, Nash recorded a 14.71 goals-against average and a 74.7 save percentage.

As offensive-minded as any goaltender in the league, Nash was third among goaltenders with 14 assists last season, and has 35 for his four-year career.

Stapleford, a fourth-round Toronto Rock draft pick in September 2002, was traded to New York in March, along with draft picks, for forward Chris Driscoll. In three games with the Rock and Saints, Stapleford corralled six loose balls but recorded no points.