Like many boys who grew up in rural Saskatchewan, Peter Kozushka dreamt of being picked in the CFL draft. It finally became a reality when he was chosen in the sixth round, 51st overall, by the Montreal Alouettes on May 3.
“Hearing my name was a dream come true,” shared Kozushka. “It's something that I had dreamt of as a little kid growing up, and for it to happen was a surreal feeling. There was a rush of emotions and I was happy that I was able to share it with my family.”
Kozushka said there was a lot of work that went into being drafted, right through to his standout career at the University of Alberta, and he had plenty of help along the way from a variety of people who played important roles.
“My parents, first and foremost, supported me through it all. It was really special to have them there with me when I got the phone call,” explained Kozushka. “Also my coaches, at the university and high school levels, were so helpful for all the support and coaching they have given me.”
Kozushka is a 6 ft. 7 in. tall, 318-pound offensive lineman. He is the son Mike and Madalina Kozushka, and was raised on a farm near Hampton, south of Canora. Mike played for the Canora Composite High School football team during his high school days in the late 1960s, giving him an added level of appreciation for his son’s accomplishments.
“I’m totally proud of him,” said Mike in an interview with Canora Courier prior to the draft. “It’s his own doing, with the effort that he’s put in to achieve what he has achieved. There’s a lot of work and time put in that people don’t see in achieving your goals. He has made so many sacrifices to get where he is.”
Peter’s parents always encouraged their children to get involved in sports, and he started playing football in Yorkton when he was in Grade 5. It didn’t hurt that he was bigger than most kids his age.
“A thing I like about football, no matter kind of body type you have, there’s a spot for you,” he said. “Playing on the offensive line, I can use my size to my advantage. I really couldn’t do that before outside of football.”
His university football career started slowly, as injury problems kept Kozushka out of action for two years. He made the Golden Bears roster for the first time in 2017, and 2018 was his first year as a starter. He and his teammates experience the satisfaction of making the playoffs in 2017 and 2019, before the COVID-19 disruption.
Kozushka is presently still in Edmonton, getting ready for his first training camp with the Alouettes.
“I'm excited to go out to Montreal and be able to contribute. They are a competitive team that has a winning culture. Their General Manager Danny Maciocia phoned me that I had been selected with their pick, and Head Coach Khari Jones phoned me afterward to welcome me to the team.”
Montreal’s training camp is scheduled to run from May 15 to June 2, and Kozushka is looking forward to getting started.
“I'm very excited to go out there and compete! It will be another step up from university in terms of the caliber of athlete and the speed at which the game flows. I'm looking forward to the whole experience and learning what a pro camp is all about.”
Kozushka studied business at the University of Alberta, and when his football career comes to an end, hopefully in the distant future, he plans to use his business degree to give back to the community in some way.
But his immediate plans are focused on making the Alouettes so he can be there when they visit Regina to play at Mosaic Field on July 2.
“I think it will great playing against the Riders, being back in my home province will be special,” concluded Kozushka.
