By Mason Lyttle
JANESVILLE, WI – The Janesville Jets, proud members of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), have hired Kyle Forte as their new assistant coach. Forte will take over for the departing Cody Campbell, who accepted a head coaching position in the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) in late April.
Forte, 25, arrives in his position with the Jets after four seasons in the North American Tier III Hockey League (NA3HL) with the Cincinnati Thunder, where he served as the assistant coach. With the Thunder, Forte recruited both domestically and internationally, planned practices and player events, and clipped video. As a player, he was a product of the Shattuck St. Mary’s program before playing for the NAHL’s Springfield Jr. Blues, and ultimately played Division III hockey with the Lawrence University Vikings in Appleton, Wisconsin.
“I’ve known Kyle for a long time now,” said Jets head coach and general manager Joe Dibble. “He played for me in Springfield when I was the assistant there. He’s a standup guy who’s going to work his tail off to get the results we need.”
Since 2011, he has also served as President of Pride Passion Purpose Hockey, a summer camp whose main goal is to help every player reach his or her maximum potential going into the next season. As President, Forte advanced more than 150 players to the junior A, college, and professional ranks.
“We’ve always been a team-first organization, and I think Kyle has proved he’s of a similar mindset in his years with P3,” Dibble said. “He understands our league is about player development and is going to work the long hours necessary to improve, teach, and find opportunities for our guys.”
Forte has also demonstrated his understanding of hockey’s role in a community. In 2013, he created a non-profit called Athletes for a Better Tomorrow to raise money for academic and athletic scholarships for youth athletes.
“Since I got to Janesville, I’ve done my best to make sure that our guys and our organization gives back to the community that supports us,” Dibble said. “Whether it was [former assistant coach Erik] Largen doing the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event or [Jets captain] Alex Smith winning the division’s Community Service Award this year, we’ve always done everything we can to give back, and it’s great that Kyle understands that, too.”
Forte also echoed the culture of discipline that Dibble has carefully built over his four seasons in Janesville.
“When I played for Dibble, it was all about pushing yourself and making yourself the best player, the best human being you can be,” said Forte. “I’m excited to start giving what I can to the Jets organization. I’m ready to get grinding.”
Contact the Janesville Jets’ front office at (608) 752-JETS, or go to www.janesvillejets.com for details on player camps, season ticket information, and sponsorship opportunities. Stay connected to the Jets through Facebook (/janesvillehockey) and Twitter (@JanesvilleJets1).
— JANESVILLE JETS —