Rout (27) has been a member of the Queenstown-based Stampede since the league began in 2005 and believes he can continue in the role for another 10 years.
He also proved himself in his new role as assistant coach of the New Zealand Under-18 team that won the third division world title in Mexico this year, gaining promotion.
His international highlight as a player was beating Australia for the first time, 4-2, at the New Zealand Winter Games in Dunedin last year.
Rout will be a key player in the Stampede team that this weekend faces a double-header against the Canterbury Red Devils, who beat the Stampede 5-4 to win the national final last year.
"They are a tough team with a lot of skilled players," Rout said. "But we have a lot of experienced players and can beat them."
The Stampede won the first two championships in 2005 and 2006 and the team is keen to repeat the effort again this year.
The younger players in the squad are expected to perform well after the experience gained last year and their contribution to the under-18 tournament in Mexico.
They are backed up by Ice Blacks Brett Speirs and Bert Haines. Rout will also play a key role.
Rout is adamant skating skills are important for an ice hockey player who wants to reach the top.
"If you are a good skater everything else is a lot easier," he said.
"I was taken to the rink at the age of 5 and went through a skating programme before I started ice hockey.
"It has been my sport and anything else has just been for recreation.
"Because of the demands of ice hockey I have not done any skiing for the last five years," he said.
Rout comes from an ice hockey family. Steve, his father, is coach of the Stampede and his brother, Jesse (23), has returned to the team this year after not playing for the past two years.
His sister, Emma (21), has played for the New Zealand women's team for the past three years.
Rout and wife Heidi have two young children - Ollie (4) and Ana (1).
"Ollie watches all my games at Queenstown but doesn't want to go on to the ice himself just yet," Rout said.
The games against the Canterbury Red Devils will be played at the Queenstown Ice Rink tonight (7pm) and tomorrow (4.15pm).
The Dunedin Thunder has the bye.
