The First State Team

Sean Cannon

Hockey Director, Chief Operating Officer

Sean’s coaching experience runs the gamut from mite to the collegiate and junior levels, and everything in between. A respected teacher of the game with Level 4 USA Hockey coaching certification, Sean coached the Valley Forge (Pa.) Minutemen of the Tier 1 Atlantic Youth Hockey League (AYHL) from 2015-19, and before that served as an assistant coach with the New Jersey Titans and Philadelphia Jr. Flyers of the Eastern Hockey League (EHL), along with stints coaching the West Chester University women’s and University of Iowa men’s collegiate (ACHA) programs.

Frank Catterton

Chief Financial Officer

Frank is a 40-year veteran in the financial sector, and he brings his experience in banking and financial services management to First State Ice Hockey. Additionally, he is well versed in youth sports administration, having spent 12 years on youth sports organization boards.

John Sidoriak

President, General Manager

John has been involved with youth ice hockey for over 15 years as a youth ice hockey coach and manager for multiple Tier 1 ice hockey programs. He brings his on- and off-ice leadership experience to FSIH to make recommendations to support player and team development, and to increase participation in ice hockey in the First State.

John, who currently serves as the president of the Delaware High School Hockey League and formerly served as president of the Delaware Stars, holds a Level 4 coaching certification from USA Hockey.

James Witherite

Director of Communications

James gives a voice to FSIH with over 15 years of communications experience as a broadcaster, writer and editor. After spending 11 years as a horse racing commentator in Michigan, Pennsylvania and upstate New York, James founded Delaware Hockey Night in 2017 to give scholastic hockey in Delaware a media presence. In the time since, James and DHN have partnered with all four University of Delaware hockey teams to offer live coverage of their games through DHN TV and DHN Radio, of which James himself serves as play-by-play commentator and producer.

James’ hockey experience extends beyond the press box as well: He serves as the de facto Canadian national anthem singer for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League (AHL), and is also a USA Hockey certified on-ice official. He is also the owner of 412 Communications, a full-service media agency tailored to individuals and small businesses.