Staff

Steve Kauffman is the Owner and Director of the Junior Blues Hockey Club and brings more than 20 years of coaching, leadership, and hockey operations experience to the organization. His passion for player development and program management has made him a respected leader in the New England hockey community, with extensive experience working with athletes at every level from 8U through 18U.

Following his playing career at Western New England College and Johnson & Wales University, Steve transitioned directly into coaching, where he quickly established himself as a dedicated instructor and program builder. Over the past two decades, he has coached across multiple age levels and competitive environments, focusing on developing players’ skills, confidence, and overall understanding of the game.

In addition to his role with the Junior Blues Hockey Club, Steve serves as the Director of Hockey Operations for the Premier Hockey League of New England, where he oversees league operations and supports organizational growth and development. He also serves as the lead administrator for the Eastern Junior Elite Prospects League (EJEPL), working closely with organizations and league leadership to provide high-level competitive opportunities for players throughout the region.

Steve is also the owner of several successful hockey development organizations, including Little Rhody Hockey Club, Junior Blues Hockey Club, New England Sharks, and Peak Performance Prep. Through these programs, he has helped create meaningful development pathways for players while emphasizing skill progression, character, and long-term success in the sport.

Steve currently resides in Cranston, Rhode Island with his very supportive wife and their two dogs. When he is not at the rink, he enjoys spending time at home and traveling. His passion for hockey and commitment to player development continue to drive the growth and success of the Junior Blues Hockey Club and the athletes within the program.

Anthony Simeone, a Cranston, Rhode Island native, brings a strong playing background and deep commitment to player development to his coaching career. Anthony played his youth hockey with the Providence Capitals and RI Hitmen before continuing at Cranston West High School. During his high school career, he was a three-time All-Division selection, served as team captain, and helped lead Cranston West to the 2014 Division I State Championship. His outstanding performance that season earned him the prestigious RI Cox Hockey Player of the Year award.

Anthony began his coaching career with the Providence Hockey Club, where he coached at the U14 level and assisted in running developmental skills clinics. In 2017, he joined the Cranston West High School hockey program as Assistant Coach and Head JV Coach, helping mentor and develop players within his alma mater. In 2022, Anthony played a key role in launching the Cranston Middle School JDL program and led the team to a championship in its inaugural season.

Anthony currently serves as the Head Coach of the South Kingstown High School hockey program, where he continues to focus on player development, team culture, and competitive success. In addition to his high school coaching responsibilities, he has been instrumental in organizing and running the Rhode Island High School Developmental Clinic at Boss Arena, providing local players with opportunities to improve their skills during the offseason.

Beyond the rink, Anthony remains active in youth sports throughout the community. He serves as Vice President of Cranston Western Little League, where he also coaches and manages the 12-year-old All-Star team. Additionally, he contributes to Cranston West athletics as a golf coach.

Anthony’s passion for coaching, combined with his local playing experience and dedication to developing young athletes, makes him a valuable leader and mentor within the Rhode Island hockey community.

Chris Sullivan brings a strong playing background and extensive youth coaching experience to his role as Player Development and Skills Coach for Junior Blues Hockey Club. A standout youth player with Edgewood and CLCF, he earned multiple Yankee Conference selections before playing four years at Toll Gate High School. He continued his career at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and later competed in junior hockey.

Following his playing career, Sullivan transitioned into coaching while serving as a firefighter for the City of Warwick. He has worked with several respected local programs, including Warwick Junior Hockey, Providence Hockey Club, New England Knights, and the RI Saints, building a reputation for skill development and player mentorship.

In 2022, Sullivan was named JV Head Coach at La Salle Academy, earning a promotion to Varsity Assistant Coach in 2023. Known for his commitment to fundamentals, work ethic, and player growth, Sullivan is dedicated to helping athletes reach their full potential both on and off the ice.

 Chris Hall brings extensive NCAA coaching experience to the Junior Blues Hockey Club Prep team in the Peak Performance Prep League. He was recently named the inaugural Head Coach of the varsity men’s ice hockey program at Roger Williams University, after serving as an assistant coach at Babson College, where he helped guide the team to a 14–10–2 record and develop a First Team All-Conference defenseman.

Previously, Hall spent five seasons at the Division I level with Merrimack College Women’s Ice Hockey, contributing to the program’s best finish in school history and its first playoff wins. He oversaw defense, goaltenders, and special teams, coaching nationally ranked units while helping develop multiple All-Conference players and professional signees.

Hall’s coaching background also includes successful stops at Colby College, University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Amherst College, as well as his alma mater, University of Notre Dame, where the program reached the NCAA National Championship game during his tenure.

With experience across Division I and III hockey, Hall is committed to developing high-character student-athletes, building competitive teams, and preparing players for success at the next level.