Kool-Aid McKinstry stepped into the Vancouver Whalers locker room with little fan fare. Such is expected for a rookie with a ton to prove. However, veteran wingers Gaston LeGume and AJ Cage were on site to welcome the newbie and present him with his Whalers sweater. Kool-Aid took a couple of photos in front of his locker for Vancouver’s web and social media sites. Afterwards, Kool-Aid joined his fellow rookies for a tour of the facility.

Overall, Kool-Aid was in awe over his first visit to the place he’ll call ‘home’ for the next few seasons. He entered the SMJHL draft with a desire to play in a hockey-first market with a rich lineage. Vancouver checks all the boxes. Kool-Aid was last seen by team media members sitting by himself, in the lower level of Pacific Coliseum. Little did they know, Vancouver’s newest speedster was taking in the quiet environment, imaging what it will be like to play in front of the Whalers faithful.