Andrew Kizito’s life wouldn’t be the same without hockey. Kizito is 25; he has been playing for 17 years.
Five of those years were dedicated to the Varsity Blues men’s hockey team, two more to the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League. Born and raised in Toronto, defenseman Kizito started playing mostly by chance. “One of my best friends used to play, and he took me skating once and I picked it up pretty quickly,” he explains. “His dad noticed and asked me to join the team.”
[pullquote]”I wanted to keep playing hockey, but at the same time I knew I wanted to get an education, so I figured U of T would be a good place to do that,”[/pullquote]
Hockey ability does run in the family, though. “My brother played in the Quebec league for Victoriaville,” Kizito notes.
Having played competitive hockey in Toronto, Kizito moved to Kingston after graduating high school to play for the Frontenacs. His time in the OHL led to his desire to play at an intercollegiate level: “On one level, I wanted to keep playing hockey, but at the same time I knew I wanted to get an education, so I figured U of T would be a good place to do that,” Kizito says.
The opportunity to live and go to school in Toronto was a welcome one for Kizito. He began playing for the Varsity Blues in his first year and was named the team’s rookie of the year. “After I was done in Kingston, I wanted a change of scenery: new city, new everything.”
A common struggle for many intercollegiate athletes is the enormous time commitment required to play on a team, and that held true for Kizito as well. The Blues player is majoring in political science. “The hardest thing was definitely just the time commitment — coordinating school, hockey, keeping your grades up. Dealing with the time is hard,” he admits.
Despite the pressures of sport and school, Kizito has only good memories of his time with the Blues. “I’ve made life-long friends … That’s the most I take from the program,” he reminisces. “Hockey has definitely added to my overall student experience. It’s not like some people who say they come here and never really meet anyone; I’ve made life-long friends and met alumni.
“It’s definitely better than just going to class every day.”
While it was difficult to keep a balance between school work and hockey, the team’s strong alumni and career programs made things easier throughout his degree, especially in his final year. The program allows Blues athletes to meet with prominent members of their prospective fields and to get to know their chosen industry first hand. “Hockey’s about networking too. The alumni that have come out of this program are amazing — just to keep in touch with them and know what they’re doing is great,” Kizito says.
As for post-graduation plans, Kizito is keeping his options and mind open. “Everything’s so tentative now, I don’t even know if it’s worth writing down,” he laughs. “I’m going to try so many different things and I’ve applied to so many different jobs. I’m trying to get a job in finance right now, and I’ve got a bunch of interviews coming up. I think I’ll be alright.”
His time as captain of the Blues hockey team can only help Kizito in his job search — playing at intercollegiate level has only taught him good habits that will stick with him his entire life. “That’s one thing I had to focus on: managing time,” chuckles Kizito.
Although the last 17 years have been filled to the brim with rinks, road trips, and emergency skate sharpening, Kizito isn’t sure what his future in hockey will be. “I’d like to [keep playing], but I’m at a point in my life where it might be time to try something new.”
Kizito cites his experience with the Blues as one of the most rewarding times of his life as well as one of the most valuable. He knows his dedication to the Varsity Blues will follow beyond his time as an undergraduate. “I think it will help. How? I don’t know. But I like to tell myself it will.”
