Hope In The City Breakfast

Best Western Lamplighter Inn & Conference Centre

Friday, November 15, 2019 | 7:30a-9a

*breakfast begins at 7:15a, program begins at 7:30a

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

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, 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.

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.

In June of last year, he was inducted into the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame. In October, he was inducted into the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame in Toronto.