MARQUETTE, Mich. – Northern Michigan University will induct five individuals and one team into the NMU Sports Hall of Fame this year.

One selection this year is Walt Kyle. 

Kyle began his career at NMU following two seasons at Boston College where he accumulated 16 goals and 28 assists for 46 career points. He quickly made his mark on the Wildcats, being named captain of the team in his first year there in which he led NMU to a WCHA Championship and a berth in the NCAA Frozen Four championship game against North Dakota. 

He was again named captain in his senior season where he helped the team to a CCHA Championship and NCAA Frozen Four appearance, losing in the semifinals to Wisconsin. 

Kyle returned to his alma mater the following year as a graduate assistant before being hired as an assistant coach in 1982, a position he would hold for the next 10 years. He was also a member of the 1991 championship team coaching staff, working as the top assistant coach under then-head coach Rick Comley. 

"Walt epitomizes the growth of NMU hockey," Comely said. "He was instrumental to the growth and success of that early team; transferring in and making a mark by leading them to the NCAA tournament and really solidifying the team on the national stage."

Following his departure from NMU in 1992, Kyle was named head coach of the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League from 1992-94. 

In 1994-95 he joined the staff of the San Diego Gulls, the IHL affiliate of the NHL's Anaheim Ducks, as the head coach. 

After a year in San Diego, Kyle was named head coach in Baltimore (AHL) where he spent one season before joining the Duck's organization as an assistant coach where he was later promoted to associate head coach in 1997. 

In 1998, Kyle left Anaheim to become the head coach of the Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL), the Oilers' primary farm team. 

Two years later, Kyle joined the New York Rangers (NHL) organization as an assistant coach where he would remain through 2002 before returning to his alma mater.

Kyle was named the second head coach of NMU hockey in 2002, following in the footsteps of former coach and mentor Comley.

"He was a natural born coach," Comley reflected. "My success came from having him as my assistant in those early years. He embodies everything about NMU hockey. From being a player, to an assistant coach; I knew I wasn't going to leave until I had convinced him to be my successor."

The former Wildcat standout spent 15 seasons behind the bench for NMU, leading his team to the NCAA tournament in 2009-10 and accruing a 265-263-68 record. 

During his time as both an assistant, and head coach for the Wildcats, Kyle coached or recruited six Hobey Baker finalists and 14 All-Americans.

"I have to say the number of Hobey Baker finalists and All-American honorees is one of my proudest accomplishments throughout my years of coaching," Kyle said. 

A native of Waterloo, Iowa, Kyle currently resides in Marquette, Michigan. He is married to Bridget (Berube) Kyle and has five children, including Quinn (Nate), Evan (Betsy) Kyle, Erin, Walter and Kellen.