Two years later, as he enters his third year competing with the Varsity Blues men's hockey team, he has found his direction in the classroom, established himself as an important contributor on the ice and built a community that has made U of T feel like home. 

A student in the Rotman Commerce program, Wightman is specializing in Management with a focus on Finance and Accounting. His academic path, however, wasn't something he had completely mapped out before arriving in Toronto. 

"Before university, my friends and I always talked about wanting to do 'business,'" Wightman said. "That said, I never really knew what 'business' was until I came to U of T."

Wightman's first year was about exploration. He began in the general Arts and Science program and deliberately used the opportunity to sample courses across a wide range of disciplines. 

"During my first year, I took a course in almost every field U of T offered," he said. "I was hooked by the introductory management course I took and decided to pursue Rotman." 

The decision gave him a new academic goal, but earning a spot in Rotman Commerce after first year wasn't guaranteed. Wightman knew he would have to stay focused throughout the year if he wanted to make the transition. 

"It wasn't a guarantee that I could transfer into Rotman after first year, so I knew I had to stay on top of my schooling throughout the year." 

Successfully transferring into Rotman remains his favourite academic memory at U of T. More than simply marking the beginning of a new program, it represented the payoff from a year of hard work and persistence. 

"I enjoy how practical much of the content I am learning is," he said. "There are lots of concepts and lessons where I might not use the skills in my professional career, but they can help me personally. Having a deeper understanding of finance and accounting is very important for anyone who wants to be smart with their money." 

His studies are also helping him shape his plans for life after graduation. After working this summer for a mining company in the Yukon, Wightman has developed an interest in pursuing a career from that experience. 

"As of now, I am hoping to pursue a career in mining or energy finance," he said. "Working this summer in the Yukon has sparked my interest to join the industry." 

He is also making the most of opportunities outside the classroom. Wightman recently joined Blues in Commerce as a Corporate Relations Manager and serves as a teaching assistant for RSM230, allowing him to gain experience while contributing to the greater U of T community. 

Then there is hockey.

After arriving in Toronto with junior hockey experience in the Western Hockey League, Wightman quickly made an impact with the Blues. In his rookie season, he recorded 18 points in 28 regular season games from nine goals and nine assists. He would add two more goals in the playoffs. 

This exceptional play in his debut campaign earned him Varsity Blues men's hockey Rookie of the Year honours, recognizing the immediate impact he made on the team. 

He continued that development in his second season, adding another 25 regular season games to his career tally, along with nine more goals and 12 assists. 

But while individual performances have been an important part of his hockey experience, Wightman's favourite memories are tied to the team. 

His favourite Varsity Blues memory came in an overtime victory over Concordia that secured Toronto a first-round playoff bye in 2024. For Wightman, the significance of that moment went beyond the result. It was another example of what can happen when a group works toward the same goal. 

That sense of connection is also at the heart of why Wightman chose U of T in the first place. 

"I chose U of T for its blend of academics and sports," he said. "I felt like I connected the most with the guys on the team more than anywhere else and I couldn't be happier with the decision." 

Now after two years, Wightman's U of T journey has taken him from exploring almost every corner of Arts and Science to finding his academic home in Rotman Commerce. He's gone from a junior hockey player arriving in Toronto to an established member of the Varsity Blues. 

Perhaps most importantly, he has found a community that has helped make the experience meaningful. 

For Wightman, the decision to come to U of T has already delivered what he was looking for: the opportunity to pursue his ambitions while being part of a team and community where he feels he belongs. 

And with two years still to build on, his U of T story is far from finished.