04/12/2026
The Bandit Ice Hockey Association
2026-2027 Coaching Staff
U10 – 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 championship wins in three tournaments.
- The U12 AA Bandits (2023/24) – finished the season with a 34-13-8 record, including championship title for SYTHL U12 AA division and The Big Bear Pittsburgh Tournament.
- The U10AA Bandits (2022/23) – the 22/23 season record of 41-16-11 included 1 tournament championship and the SYTHL League Championship.
- 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.
U12 – 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, 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 U12 team and plans to continue development of the team.
U14- To Be Announced
U16 Ryan Cammisa
Ryan is a Level 4 certified USA Hockey coach and has been a part of The Bandits Ice Hockey Association since 2025. Originally from Mississauga, Ontario, Ryan developed his game in the highly competitive AAA Greater Toronto Hockey League. Ryan relocated to Georgia in 1997 and completed his minor hockey career and went on to play ACHA D3 hockey at Middle Tennessee State University.
Coach Cammisa has been working with and coaching youth hockey since 2017, with players ranging from Learn-to-Play development classes through 16U travel hockey. Most recently, as an assistant coach with the 2025/26 U16AA Bandits, Coach Cammisa helped guide the team to a 16-1-3 record, securing a first-place finish in the SYTHL.
Coach Cammisa is driven by a deep passion for hockey and is dedicated to developing well-rounded athletes while instilling a modern, high-tempo style of hockey. He is committed to fostering both individual growth and a strong sense of community within the Bandits program.
U18 Tournament team - Steve Jacobs
Steve is a Level 4 certified USA Hockey coach. Originally from Massachusetts, Steve grew up playing AAA hockey for the Minuteman Flames, continued his development at Cushing Academy, and went on to compete at the Division I level for UMass Amherst.
Coach Jacobs has been a part of youth hockey in Atlanta for over 20 years coaching players across every age and level. He has coached teams to National Championships and helped dozens of players earn placement at top prep schools and junior hockey programs across the country.
Coach Jacobs joins the Bandit Hockey Association this season bringing a coaching philosophy that is in keeping with the Bandit program. Using the game to develop complete hockey players; building character, instilling a genuine passion for hockey, while teaching respect for teammates, accountability, and teaching life lessons that hockey delivers both on and off the ice.
