Staff

After a high school and short college career at Western New England College and Johnson & Wales - Steve immediately got into coaching. He now has 20+ years of coaching at all levels from 8U to 18U.

In addition to his coaching career, Kauffman is also the Director of Hockey Operations for the Premier Hockey League of New England as well as lead administrator for the Eastern Junior Elite Prospects League.

Steve is also the owner of Little Rhody Hockey Club and Peak Performance Prep.

Currently Steve resides in Cranston, RI with his very understanding wife and two dogs. When not at the rink - Steve can be found relaxing at home or travelling.

Zach is the former men's assistant coach at Nichols College and current Head Coach of the Portsmouth Abbey School.

Cappelli got his start with Pro Ambitions Hockey, serving as the head coach from 2015-2017. During his time with Pro Ambitions, Cappelli developed and supervised more than fifty high-level hockey camps.

 Most recently, Zach served as The Winchendon School Boys Varsity Hockey Assistant Coach. During his time at Winchendon, Cappelli held multiple responsibilities from recruiting to creating practice plans, while also executing film sessions.

Since 2019, Cappelli has owned Level Up Hockey Development. With Level Up, Cappelli helps players from 12 years old to college develop their ability by teaching them game techniques and situations through on-ice skills sessions and private lessons. He also acts as an advisor to the athletes as they navigate the prep school and college recruitment process and has placed over 50 players in the prep, junior, and collegiate ranks.

 In 2016, Cappelli took over the duties of head coach for the Hoosac Prep School boy's hockey team, while also serving as the Assistant Athletic Director for the school. While at Hoosac, he led the program to their second-straight New England Prep School Athletic Conference (NEPSAC) Holt Conference Championship and saw five graduates move on to play in the collegiate ranks.

 Cappelli, a 2017 graduate of Becker College, also serves as the Head Coach for the Little Rhody Hockey Club summer program and is the Director and Head of Skills for the Broncos Hockey Club.

Born and raised in Cranston, RI where Anthony played for the Providence Capitals and RI Hitmen. He also played for Cranston West where he was a 3-time all division player, and 2014 RI Cox Hockey Player of the Year and Captain of the 2014 Division 1 championship team.

From 2016-2018 Anthony coached u14 half season with the Providence Hockey Club and helped run their developmental skill clinics. In 2017 he became the assistant coach and head JV coach at Cranston West and in 2022 helped begin the Cranston Middle School JDL program where he coached the team to a championship in his first year. Currently in my 2nd year as Head Coach of South Kingstown High School hockey team.

Anthony also helped start and run the Rhode Island High School Developmental Clinic out of the boss arena during the summer.

When not coaching hockey, Anthony also enjoys coaching Little League baseball at Cranston Western Little League where he serves as the Vice President and 12 year old all star coach, and coaches Golf at Cranston West.

Ryan Perry has built a distinguished career in both playing and coaching hockey, bringing years of experience to his current role as the Assistant Varsity Hockey Coach at Bishop Hendricken High School.

Ryan’s playing career began at the youth level, where he competed with both the Edgewood Hawks and Providence Capitals Elite teams. His talent and dedication to the sport carried him into Junior Hockey, where he played for the Cranston Reds, Providence Capitals, and Northeast Generals. Ryan then pursued higher education, attending Nichols College and Johnson & Wales University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree.

In terms of coaching, Ryan has been a vital contributor to the development of players on various youth teams. In 2019, he served as the head coach for the Providence Hockey Club U14 full season AAA team. Most recently, in 2024, Ryan coached the South Shore Kings U14 Full Season Elite team. He also was invited to coach at the USA Hockey Futures development camp for the New England District at the University of Vermont. 

However, his most notable coaching role is his ongoing tenure as the Assistant Varsity Hockey Coach at Bishop Hendricken High School since 2020. Under his guidance as assistant coach, the Hawks have captured four Division 1 state titles, showcasing Ryan’s ability to develop successful programs and players, ultimately leading teams to excellence.

In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Ryan serves as a hockey family advisor, working with several teams and advising companies to help players navigate their path to the next level. His deep knowledge of the game, combined with his commitment to player development, has made him a trusted figure in the local hockey community.

Ryan Perry’s passion for hockey, paired with his coaching experience and player development expertise, has made a significant impact both on and off the ice and we are excited to have him as part of the Jr. Blues Staff. 

Chris Sullivan is an experienced 18U hockey coach with a rich background in both playing and coaching the game. Chris began his hockey career in youth hockey at Edgewood and then CLCF, where his talent quickly stood out. As a teenager, he was selected multiple times for the prestigious Yankee Conference, showcasing his skill and potential. Chris went on to play for the Tollgate Titans from 1994 to 1998, where he made a significant impact in high school hockey.

After high school, Chris was recruited to play at UMass Dartmouth from 1998 to 2000, where he further developed his game. Following his college career, he played Juniors before transitioning into a rewarding career as a firefighter for the City of Warwick. Despite his full-time job, Chris never lost his passion for hockey, and he began coaching youth hockey with several local organizations, including Warwick Junior Hockey, Providence Hockey Club, New England Knights, and the RI Saints.

In 2022, Chris was hired as the JV Head Coach at LaSalle Academy, where his leadership skills and hockey knowledge quickly became evident. His commitment to the team and players earned him a promotion, and in 2023, Chris was named Assistant Coach for the Varsity team. Throughout his career, Chris has dedicated himself to the growth and development of young players, sharing his love of the game and experience at every level.

TJ Matola is a USA Hockey Level 5 certified coach, has coached with WJHA for 19 years and served on the WJHA board of directors as the Coaching Director and Midget program director. TJ is a great veteran coach that brings a lot of experience to the program!