‘I think they should be receiving the same level of funding’

Jim Kyte, who became the first legally deaf player in NHL history when he was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in 1982, expressed his desire for deaf athletes to receive equal funding as their able-bodied counterparts. Despite never representing Canada in the Olympics, Kyte is now an ambassador for the Canadian Deaf Sport Association's (CDSA) fundraising campaign to help athletes compete in the 2027 Winter Deaflympics in Austria.

The CDSA needs to raise $75,000 by December to support the 28 athletes competing in hockey, cross-country skiing, and curling. Kyte believes that deaf athletes should receive the same level of funding as Olympic and Paralympic athletes, as many of them have to cover their own expenses while pursuing their sport. Hannah Brown, a member of Canada’s women’s deaf curling team, echoed Kyte's sentiments, stating that the financial burden of competing is "quite stressful." The CDSA has raised $9,412 so far, but more funding is needed to support the athletes adequately.