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James Gregory Kyte (born March 21, 1964) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Kyte made history by being the first (and to date, only) legally deaf National Hockey League (NHL) player, playing 598 games in the NHL.
Kyte is the son of Canadian former university athletic star John Kyte, St. Francis Xavier University's Athlete-of-the-Half-Century. He is also the brother of Canadian former track team member Aynslee Kyte.
Kyte saw limited ice time with the Jets as a rookie in 1983–84, appearing in 58 games and scoring one goal and two assists, helping the team reach the playoffs. In three playoff games that season, Kyte did not earn a point as Winnipeg was swept by the Edmonton Oilers in the Smythe Division semi-finals.
In 1984–85, Kyte appeared in 71 games with the Jets, earning three assists, while accumulating 111 penalty minutes. In eight playoff games, Kyte was held off the scoresheet, as the team defeated the Calgary Flames in the Smythe Division semi-finals, however, the Jets were then swept by the Edmonton Oilers in the Division finals.
Kyte again appeared in 71 games with the Jets in 1985–86, scoring a goal and four points, while getting 126 penalty minutes, as Winnipeg qualified for the post-season. In three games, Kyte had no points, as the Jets lost to the Calgary Flames in the Smythe Division semi-finals.
Kyte's offensive production increased in 1986–87, as he managed to score five goals and 10 points in 72 games, while getting 162 penalty minutes. In 10 playoff games, Kyte earned four assists, as the Jets would end up losing to the Edmonton Oilers in the Smythe Division finals.
Injuries plagued Kyte during the 1987–88 season, as he played in only 51 games, scoring a goal and four points while accumulating 128 penalty minutes. The Jets qualified for the post-season, however, Kyte did not appear in any games.
Kyte appeared in a career high 74 games with the Jets in 1988–89, scoring three goals and 12 points, as well as getting 190 penalty minutes. Winnipeg failed to make the playoffs.
On June 17, 1989, Kyte, Andrew McBain and Randy Gilhen were traded by the Jets to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Randy Cunneyworth, Rick Tabaracci and Dave McLlwain.
The Penguins sent Kyte to begin the 1990–91 season with the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the International Hockey League (IHL). In 25 games, Kyte scored two goals and seven points, as well as recording 157 penalty minutes. Kyte also appeared in one game with the Penguins, getting no points and two penalty minutes.
On December 13, 1990, the Penguins traded Kyte to the Calgary Flames for Jiřà Hrdina.
Kyte appeared in 21 games with Calgary in 1991–92, getting one assist and 107 penalty minutes. He also played in six games with the Salt Lake Golden Eagles of the IHL, earning an assist and nine penalty minutes. After the season, Kyte became a free agent.
He played a second season with the Thunder in 1994–95, scoring three goals and 20 points in 76 games with the team. Kyte left the Thunder late in the season, as he signed with the San Jose Sharks.
Kyte played in 57 games with San Jose in 1995–96, scoring a goal and eight points, and earning 146 penalty minutes, however, the team failed to make the playoffs. Kyte was granted free agency after the season.
| 1980–81 | Hawkesbury Hawks | CJHL | 42 | 2 | 24 | 26 | 133 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1981–82 | Cornwall Royals | OHL | 52 | 4 | 13 | 17 | 148 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 1982–83 | Winnipeg Jets | NHL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1982–83 | Cornwall Royals | OHL | 65 | 6 | 30 | 36 | 195 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 24 |
| 1983–84 | Winnipeg Jets | NHL | 58 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 55 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| 1984–85 | Winnipeg Jets | NHL | 71 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 111 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| 1985–86 | Winnipeg Jets | NHL | 71 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 126 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| 1986–87 | Winnipeg Jets | NHL | 72 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 162 | 10 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 36 |
| 1987–88 | Winnipeg Jets | NHL | 51 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 128 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1988–89 | Winnipeg Jets | NHL | 74 | 3 | 9 | 12 | 190 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1989–90 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 56 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 125 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1990–91 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1990–91 | Muskegon Lumberjacks | IHL | 25 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 157 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1990–91 | Calgary Flames | NHL | 42 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 153 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| 1991–92 | Calgary Flames | NHL | 21 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 107 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1991–92 | Salt Lake Golden Eagles | IHL | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 9 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1992–93 | New Haven Senators | AHL | 63 | 6 | 18 | 24 | 163 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1992–93 | Ottawa Senators | NHL | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1993–94 | Las Vegas Thunder | IHL | 75 | 2 | 16 | 18 | 246 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 51 |
| 1994–95 | Las Vegas Thunder | IHL | 76 | 3 | 17 | 20 | 195 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1994–95 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 18 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 33 | 11 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 14 |
| 1995–96 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 57 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 146 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1996–97 | Kansas City Blades | IHL | 76 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 259 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
In 2024, Kyte was inducted into the Order of Canada as a Member by Governor General Mary Simon for being the first deaf player in the history of the National Hockey League.
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