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 U16 team and plans to continue development of the team.