First Deaf Hockey Player

Jim (James) Kyte

1. How I met him?

We met by happenstance. It was a happy coinicidence because he got to meet me.

2. Where he working at?

He work at Algonquin College. He started here in 2002 - now (15 years ago).

3. How long have he been working at Algonquin College from Dean of the School of Hospitality and Tourson at H Building?

He have been Dean of the School of Hospitality & Tourism since 2004.

4. Are he born deaf and causes?

Yes, he was born with auditory nerve degeneration. He have a profound 100 decibels.

He begin slowly losing his hearing when he was 3 years old.

5. Did he went to Deaf School and where?

No, his brothers and him were integrated into the regular School system. His Mum fought the School board and prevented his brothers and him from being end to the Belleville School for the Deaf.

He never went to Belleville School for the Deaf. The School board wanted to send him but his Mum said "no".

6. Are he used American Sign Language?

He knew very very little - he not in the environment  enough.

7. Have he been in Galladent University?

Yes, he visited the campus back in the late 1980's but he was not a student.

8. What subjects did he take course?

He was a professional hockey player at 18 years old so he never went to University  until he was 46 years old. He was mature student in the Royal Road University MBA Program (Master of Business of Administration), Victoria, British Columbia. He graduated in 2012.

9. How long have he been played at Natural Hockey Leaque?

He played in the National Hockey League for 13 Seasons. (1982 - 1998)

10. How old were he started play hockey?

He started playing hockey when he was 5 years old.

11. What team are he and what years?

Winnipeg Jets 1982 - 1989 # 6

Pittsburgh Penguin  1982 - 1991 #3

Calgary Frames 1990 - 1992 # 2

Ottawa Senators 1992 - 1993 # 2

Las Vegas Thunder 1993 - 1995 # 6

San Jose Shark 1994 - 1996 # 2

Kansas City Blades 1996 - 1997 # 

Canadian Tire Centre

1000 Palladium Drive

Ottawa, Ontario 

12. Have he been involved anything at Deaf Community?

1. He worked with Deaf and Hard of Hearing children at a special camp run by Stan Mikita in Chicago.

Also he ran his own Summer Hockey School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing kids in Toronto, Ontario.

He eventually opened the Jim Kyte Hockey School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Ottawa, Ontario, a business which he continued to run after his  retirement.

Hockey School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing are:

- York University, Toronto, Ontario 1986

- Upper Canada College, Toronto, Ontario 1987

- Balmoral School, Winnipeg, Manitoba 1988, 1989 and 1990

- Canadian Police College, Ottawa, Ontario, 1991, 1992 and 1993 

MY COMMENTS: My Dad was President and my late Great Uncle but no picture of him also it was.

My Dad

MY COMMENTS: While ago my son Warren and I went to Comic store and asked a person about hockey card for Senator Ottawa but don't have one also the Google have hockey cards are different places instead Senator Ottawa.

I did print it then he did autograph his name on it.

2. Last Thursday September 28th, 2017 he went to visited at The Old Mill in 21 Old Mill Road, Toronto, Ontario at Dining Room Enterance.

The ticket for: Featuring: Guest Speaker Jim Kyte and The Reverend Bob Rumball  Humanitarian Award.

 June 29th, 2024 

 We are thrilled to congratulate our esteemed Board member and member of the Canadian Hearing Society National Scholarship Committee, Jim Gregory Kyte, on being appointed to the Order of Canada! Jim is renowned as the first deaf player in the history of the National Hockey League. Throughout his career he has championed for greater accessibility and inclusion in sports and is a strong advocate for disability rights. This honor is a testament to his exceptional contributions and dedication. Your passion and commitment inspire us all. Well deserved!