In a brutal and honest assessment, Rout said the Queenstown-based team got out of the season what it put into it.
The squad did not train well all year, there were too many distractions off the ice and many of the players just were not as hungry as they had been in the past.
"We put a lot of effort in last year but the guys haven't put the same effort into practices this year," Rout said.
"That has been evident in our game," he said, adding most of the squad worked fulltime and finding the time to practise had been a struggle.
Last year's finalist laboured for consistency as a result, often struggling in the first game of a doubleheader, with four of its five wins coming in the second game.
However, there was plenty to suggest the Stampede is far from a spent force.
The team managed at least one win against the other four teams in the league and finished on a high with a dramatic 2-1 shootout win against the top-of-the-table Botany Swarm in Queenstown on Saturday.
And the Stampede's policy of blooding younger players rather than relying on imports should stand the club in good stead for future seasons.
"We've beaten every team in the league and we've definitely got the talent. But what it shows is you've got to put the effort in.
"That goes for me as a coach. I've been very focused on my business this year and have not had the time to put the normal amount of prep in that I would have."
The league was evenly contested and the standard had lifted dramatically in the last six years, he added.
Forward Brett Speirs had an outstanding season for the Stampede and was the team's leading scorer.
Teenage goaltender Aston Brookes also had a strong year and emerged as the region's No 1 netminder.
"They would be the two standout players. But one of our big problems this year was we've had plenty of possession but just have not been able to turn it into goals."
In Dunedin, there was more optimism.
The Thunder struggled to compete in its first two years in the league but emerged as a genuine contender this season, winning seven of its 16 games.
The Thunder finished in disappointing fashion, with two heavy losses (9-1 and 13-7) to the Canterbury Red Devils in Christchurch.
But coach James van Leeuwen was very satisfied with the progress his side made.
"To go from winning just two games in two years to winning nearly half of our games was a big improvement," van Leeuwen said.
"And also to beat every team at least once proved that we can compete."
Van Leeuwen said with an once more self-belief the Thunder might have won a few more games and forced its way into the final.
The team lacked "a little leadership" and was not sure how to close out the tight games, he said, adding "that will come with experience".
"We had high goals and wanted to make the final and we could have done it. The competition was so close. It was only a game here and there in the end."
The Thunder got excellent service from its French imports, Quentin Pepy and Martin Millerioux.
League veteran Paris Heyd had a productive season and Matt Weir improved with each game.
The highlight of the season was the 13-2 demolition of the Stampede in Queenstown.
The final is scheduled for September 4 with two Auckland-based teams, the Swarm and Admirals, battling for the honours.
Ice hockey season
Dunedin Thunder: Played 16, won 7, lost 9, placed fourth.
Southern Stampede: Played 16, won 5, lost 11, placed fifth.
