University of Toronto alumnus Kyle Ventura has been signed to play the 2013–14 Canadian Hockey League (CHL) season with the Brampton Beasts. Ventura graduated from U of T in June 2013 with an Honours Bachelor in Arts. The aggressive forward led the Blues in scoring for three seasons and served as assistant captain during his final year on the team.

Blues hockey players have a busy schedule: players are on the ice six days a week, travel frequently across Ontario, as well as Canada and parts of the usa, and are still accountable for a full university course load. Ventura credits U of T for teaching him time management skills.

“It was tough for me at first,” Ventura added, “but it was a huge wake-up call, and it got me to where I am today.”

Ventura’s main inspiration seems to come from his parents. They gave him motivation to be the first in the family to earn a university degree, while simultaneously urging him onto the ice.

“When I started hockey, I couldn’t skate, so it was really frustrating,” Ventura explained. “My dad eventually forced me, and I’m glad he did.”

After learning to tie his laces, Ventura skated on up to the Ontario Hockey League (ohl). From 2004–2006, he played with the
Ontario Junior A Hockey League’s Wexford Raiders. In 2007, he played for the Newmarket Hurricanes. From 2006–2008, Ventura also competed with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens; then he hit the ice with the Blues. During the 111 games he played as a Varsity Blue, he scored 57 goals and had 45 assists.

“My favourite U of T memory was scoring 4 goals in 1 game against Guelph,” Ventura recalls. Playing on the Blues was a good experience.”

While playing with the Brampton Beasts, his game plan on the ice of the Powerade Centre lies in the hands of head coach Mark DeSantis.

“[Kyle] is the guy who will get under the skin of our opponents,” DeSantis told The Brampton Guardian. “That’s what will create his space as an agitator.”

“Agitator” is a nickname that Ventura knows well.

“That’s typically the way I play,” he agrees. “I like to get under the guys’ skin and score a few goals while I’m at it.”

Keeping his physicality in check, however, has been a battle of its own. During Ventura’s second year playing for the Wexford Raiders, he spent 101 minutes in the penalty box. Experience has taught him “to focus aggression elsewhere on the ice and harness more body contact.”

“I play hard. I hate losing. I’ll do whatever it takes to win; that’s what I want to show the Beasts,” said Ventura.