This is Jim Kyte, the only player in National Hockey League history to be legally deaf.Kyte suffered from a hereditary hearing deficiency that broke down his audio nerve from about the age of 3. Kyte could hear, courtesy of special hearing aids. He always had to wear a customized helmet with special flaps covering his ears to protect the hearing aids during games.
Kyte was a tough guy defenseman who played in 1980s and 1990s, most notably with the Winnipeg Jets. For the most part he missed out on the big money era in the NHL. His career was winding down as payrolls skyrocketed up.
He made good money no doubt, but he has spent most of his hockey fortune on his own disabled son who suffers from autism.
The National Post has more, although the story is really about new funding initiatives available for families with disabled children.
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