Nicholas McKee has been a steady contributor on one of the top MJHL squads in his rookie season. The Treherne, Manitoba product has played in 41 games for the Winkler Flyers this season and has put up 18 points thus far. McKee says the atmosphere the team has created really benefits them on the ice.

"We have good coaches and the guys here love each other and always play for each other," says McKee. "I just think that bond works its way from the dressing room to the ice."

The Flyers have clawed their way to becoming the second-seed in the MJHL's East Division at the moment, moving ahead of the Winnipeg Blues after two wins this weekend against the Portage Terriers. McKee says they have battled through adversity to get to this point, with two of their top four scorers being out the last few games (Jayden McCarthy and Troy Hamilton).

"It's definitely been hard, and young guys have had to step up here, but we're doing well," McKee says.

The 17-year-old forward just spent one stint at the U18 AAA level with the Pembina Valley Hawks last year and totalled six points in four games before the league was shut down due to COVID-19. He talks about how he's transitioned to the MJHL's style of play.

"It's definitely been a big change," McKee explains. "The guys here are bigger, faster, and stronger. I've just been trying to work hard and play physical. It's been working, I think."

McKee says the most important thing for his team in the last few weeks of the regular season is to get healthy and get into a playoff mindset. He and the Flyers will be back in Portage to take on the Terriers on March 11.