Our Mission
The Bandits Ice Hockey Association’s mission is to provide a positive, character building, sports experience for youth; while creating a passion and respect for the great game of ice hockey.
Bandits Hockey believes the development of every individual; with an emphasis on education, personal growth and skill development, teamwork, and sportsmanship; will result in team depth, diversity, respect and cohesion. Ultimately providing a level of confidence that brings success not only in the environment of competitive ice hockey; but builds a foundation for success in future adult and business life as well.
The conduct of our coaching staff, players, and parents will be maintained and held to high standards in order to ensure a positive culture and environment to honor and respect the sport and players, and exemplify an organization in which to be proud of.
bandits hockey tryouts - 2025-2026 season
April 27th & 28th
$65.00 per skater
U10 AA:
April 27th - 10:40 am
April 28th - 5:10 pm
U12 AA:
April 27th - 11:50 am
April 28th - 6:20 pm
U14 AA:
Nationals Bound
April 27th - 1:00 pm
April 28th - 7:30 pM
U16 AA:
Nationals Bound
April 27th - 2:10 pm
April 28th - 8:40 pm
all tryouts will be held at the Ice
1345 Atlanta Highway cumming, GA 30040
stay tuned for further announcements regarding
the 2025-26 Coaching Staff
2025 - 2026 Bandits Coaching Staff
U10 AA Head Coach – Paul Gaustad
Paul is a Level 4 certified USA Hockey coach and is the newest member of the Bandit Hockey Association coaching staff for the 2025/26 season. Originally from Portland, Oregon, Paul played in the WHL and in 2000 was drafted to the NHL, where he spent 10 seasons with the Buffalo Sabres, and then finished out his career with the Nashville Predators, retiring from the NHL in 2016. Post retirement, Paul spent several years coaching U16 and U18 travel and junior hockey in the Portland area.
Paul’s many years of hockey at every level, from youth to professional hockey, both as player and coach, have shaped his game both physically and mentally. His hockey and coaching philosophy is in alignment with The Bandit Hockey Association – to provide a positive, character-building, sports experience for area youth while creating a passion and respect for the great game of ice hockey. Paul’s coaching style exhibits the Bandit Mission Statement – to develop players, with an emphasis on education, personal growth and skill development, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
Paul is looking forward to working with the U10AA Bandits for the 2025/26 season.
U12 AA Head Coach – Craig Terranova
Craig holds a Level 5 coaching certification and a Gold Level Goaltending coach certification with USA Hockey. Craig is the Southeast Region Coaching Education Program Instructor and the USA Hockey Goalie Development Coordinator for SAHA. Craig is a native of New Jersey, where he played youth hockey thru high school and into college. He has been coaching hockey for 25+ years. Coach Terranova has served as goalie coach with The Ice and The Bandit Ice Hockey Association since 2011 and has also served as assistant coach, for team levels U10 – U18. Coach Terranova most recently served as head coach for the U12A Bandits in the 2024/25 season, leading the team through a strong development year. Previously, Craig, as head coach, lead the 2023/24 U10A Bandits to an undefeated SYTHL League and won the SYTHL playoffs, finishing the season with a 36-12-5 record. Coach Terranova incorporates USA Hockey developed training programs and coaching instruction for each age group into his practice plans. He has the ability to inject humor to create a relaxed and enjoyable learning environment, ensuring the players gain a love and respect for both the game and teammates that will be instrumental in their overall future in the game of hockey.U14 AA Head Coach – Steve Whitfield
Steve is a Level 4 certified USA Hockey coach and has been part of the Bandit Ice Hockey Association program since the doors opened in 2010. Originally from Natick, Massachusetts, Steve played 4 years of college hockey at UMass Boston. Currently, he is the General Manager and Hockey Director of The Ice. Under the direction of Coach Whitfield, many Bandit teams have had successful seasons, including:- The U12AA Bandits (2024/25) – posted a 51-14-1 record and captured the tournament championship in the Jacksonville Holiday Cup, South Bend Shamrock Shuffle, and The Atlanta Peachtree Showdown.
- The U12 AA Bandits (2023/24) – won championships in the SYTHL playoffs and The Big Bear Pittsburgh Tournament and finished the season with a 34-13-8 record
- The U10AA Bandits (2022/23) – secured 1 tournament championship, SYTHL League Champions, and a record of 41-16-11.
- The U10AA and U14A Bandits (2021/22) – finished the season with 3 championship wins and 1 tournament finalist showing, respectively
- The U18AA Bandits (2020/2021) – crowned champions of the Tampa Presidential Power Play Tournament
- The U16AA Bandits (2019/20) – posted a 32-15-6 record and won championships in the SYTHL League and The Big Bear Tampa Tournament
- The U12A Bandits (2019/20) – posted a 35-14-3 record.
- The U16AA Bandits (2018/19) – captured two tournament championships
- The U14AA Bandits (2017/18) – captured two tournament championships, including the SYTHL playoffs.
U16 AA Head Coach – James East
James is a Level 4 certified USA Hockey coach and has been part of The Ice and Bandit Ice Hockey Association programs since 2015. James grew up in Ontario, Canada and played AA and AAA hockey with the Ontario Minor Hockey Association. Coach East has been a part of the Bandit Hockey Association for 10 years. During his time with The Bandits, he has been a part of coaching teams at the U14, U16, and U18 levels. As head coach, he has led teams through several successful seasons, including U14 Bandits 2024/25 who captured the championship at The Atlanta Peachtree Showdown. The 2022/23 U18 Bandits had a strong development season, with a solid showing in both league play and tournament games. The 2021/22 U16 Bandits finished the season undefeated in SYTHL league play and earned the SYTHL Championship title. In 2018/19, he also led the U14 Bandit Select team to the championship season. As assistant coach for the 2019/20 U14 and U16 Bandit teams, under the direction of Coach Whitfield, Coach East helped lead the U16 AA Bandits to a 32-15-6 season, and both U16 and U14 teams earned championship titles at Big Bear Tournaments. Coach East centers his development on both the team and the individual. He believes players should develop hockey and life skills through hard work, discipline, and humor. Coach East is looking forward to a great season of Bandit Hockey working with the U14 team and plans to continue development of the team.2024 - 2025 TRAVEL TEAM ROSTERS
Fyn Baskin
Sakota Bryan
Eli Cornwell
Christian Dahlstrom
Yusuf Durmus
Liev Frank
Alli Larkin
Lucas McKennon
Jackson Ricci
Maxwell Weinreich
Madison Williamson
Parker Abad
Gavin Arena
Easton Blais
Joey Drigon
Nicolas Fontaine
Vadim Kanyuka
Tyler Lam
Declan Murphy
Carter Price
Arjay Schriefer
Sam Seder
Thomas Wallace
Lillian Weinreich
Grady Welbourn
James Boles
Charlie Busch
Wesley Clark
Silas Langley
Alex Larkin
Eddie Mills
Sylvana Nieto
Brooks Parker
Will Parker
Luke Phillips
Gabriel Plesnarski
Kaito Swanson
Nicholas Weinreich
Bridger Williams
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