Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Jim Kyte is a champion for accessibility and his community. He is also an example of perseverance in overcoming obstacles.
As the first round draft pick of the Winnipeg Jets in 1982, Jim Kyte enjoyed a 17-year professional hockey career, including 13 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with Winnipeg, Pittsburgh, Calgary, Ottawa and San Jose.
The Ottawa native is the only legally deaf player to play in the history of the NHL and was twice nominated for the NHL’s Masterston Trophy–awarded annually to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey. Jim has been long recognized for his community service and while playing for the Jets was nominated for the NHL’s King Clancy Memorial Trophy — awarded annually to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and who has made a significant humanitarian contribution to his community.
After sustaining a career-ending brain injury in an auto accident, Jim retired from hockey in the summer of 1998 and is an active member of the NHL Alumni Association, including the Ottawa Senators Alumni Executive.
Today, with a rich and varied background in professional sport, hospitality, event management, and education, Jim leads a dynamic faculty and staff as the Dean of Algonquin College’s School of Hospitality and Tourism. He is also a member of the provincial AODA Postsecondary Education Standards Development Committee.
After creating the very successful Sport Business Management postgraduate program at Algonquin College in 2002, Jim became the Academic Chair of the Marketing & Management Studies Department in the Algonquin College School of Business in 2007.
He was the Co-Director of the Volunteer Division for the 2009 World Junior Hockey Championships in Ottawa – a gold medal experience on and off the ice.
Jim earned a Master of Business Administration from Royal Roads University in 2012 where his performance was acknowledged with the bestowing of two academic awards: 2012 Governor General’s Academic Gold Medal for the best thesis or graduate project at Royal Roads University; and, 2012-13 Chancellor’s Award for having achieved the highest academic performance in the MBA program.
In 2017, Jim became a Fellow of the Ontario Hostelry Institute and selected to the Diversity 50 cohort by the Canadian Board Diversity Council (CBDC). Jim was also the recipient of the 2016 Celebration of People Employee Award, which recognizes an employee with a disability for outstanding commitment and contribution to their organization and/or workplace.
2018 was an eventful year for Jim. In May, he had the special privilege of becoming an Honorary Colonel for the 76 Communication Regiment in the Canadian Armed Forces. In June, he was inducted into the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame. In October, he was inducted into the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame in Toronto.
In 2024, Jim was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada for his advocacy for greater accessibility and inclusion in sports.
“I’m the only deaf player to play in the history of the National Hockey League … I hope I’m not the last deaf player to play in the NHL,”
“Being in that position, you want to be a role model and open doors behind you. But anything to do with accessibility … whenever I see an injustice I think it’s important not to turn a blind eye. To step forward to make the world a better place,” he said.
“Everybody has a role to play. I think we live in the best country in the world and we want to make the country better.”
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