The Greyhounds' biggest fan (14 photos)

The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds have a lot of big fans but Jason Hebert just might be their biggest.

Hebert first got into following the Greyhounds in 1996 and since 1997 he’s been a season ticket holder and rarely missed a game.

Anyone that’s ever gone to a game has very likely noticed him and his friends as they are often the loudest people in the arena and always sit in row C of Section 118, directly behind the Greyhounds' player’s bench.

Jason is known as being the most ‘vocal’ fan in the arena, shouting opinions and rattling a cowbell with every ounce of energy he has. 

Florica Sedergren, who’s a super-fan herself, sits a few rows behind Hebert.

“Jason is very opinionated when it comes to the Greyhounds' players. He’s very vocal and loud. You can hear him all around the arena and if the other team is going to hurt our players, he’s going to definitely let them know. But he’s a friendly guy overall and definitely the team's biggest fan,” said Sedergren.

After every game Hebert goes down to meet the Greyhounds and he will usually wave them goodbye when their bus leaves to head out of town, that is, when he is not occasionally actually going on road trips with them.

Hebert said his favourite player this year is #22, Liam Hawel, whom he likes because he is friendly with him after the games.

“I am a big fan because it’s entertainment and its fun to watch them put their effort into the game. I love when they score. I just want to support my hometown’s team,” said Hebert.

Hebert doesn’t just go to games, for the last two years he has been volunteering as an assistant at the teams' practices where he helps fill and clean water bottles and other duties.

The Greyhound’s Certified Athletic Therapist Aaron Madgett, who works with Hebert, said Hebert is an important part of the Greyhounds.

“Jason just helps us out with the general morale of the team. Just being here giving the guys high fives and joking around with the team and the other fans is a big help as well,” said Madgett.

Hebert, 35,  is very protective of his team and vocally supports and defends the young players from fan pressure, which he said can be very hard on the young men who are still developing their skills.

“Our fans can be really tough on them sometimes and I think they should treat the team with respect. The team can’t be perfect every year. I think, as a fan its very important to be positive,” he said.

Hebert attended Thurday’s Greyhound game against the Sarnia Sting with his good luck charm, a stuffed bear named ‘Taber’.

He and his friends Morgan Pressel and Doris Hughes were as loud as ever during the very tense game that went into a second round of overtime.

The three super-fans banged on the glass, grimaced, shouted, and bit their fingernails, throughout the course of the game until finally they were rewarded and relieved when Gabe Guertler deflected a shot by defenseman Gustav Bouramman to clinch the game for the Greyhounds in the second period of overtime.

Looks like Taber the bear's good luck worked.

Hebert is positive about the Greyhounds' playoff chances.

"They put a lot of effort in on Thursday. I know they can win in Sarnia on Saturday and move to the second round," he said.