Valley Wildcats defenceman Matthew MacKay is counted upon to be a key player for the Nova Scotia Major Midget Hockey League team during the 2016/17 season. The 5 foot 9 155 lb 2nd year player was considered to small to play major bantam but has proved his sceptics wrong. John Moore caught up with Valley defenceman and coach Jeff O’Flaherty at the league’s annual Early Bird tournament at Cole Harbour Place earlier this month.