Regina’s Ben Hebert enjoying curling in his hometown at 2024 Brier

Ben Hebert is feeling the love from the Regina crowd at the Montana’s Brier.

While Hebert has played for Alberta for most of his career, he was born in the Queen City.

“It’s pretty special,” he said. “(I’m getting) a warm welcome for sure from family and friends. I’m seeing a lot of old familiar faces that I grew up with here curling. It has been a treat because I almost forgot how many people I connected with in the curling world here.

“There hasn’t been a game where I’ve looked up and haven’t seen at least 50 people there (that I know), which has been a treat. Hopefully we can keep playing good and be here at the end of the week. That’s kind of the goal.”

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Hebert played his junior career in the Land of Living Skies and was on Pat Simmons’ rink from 2003 to ’06. But Hebert joined Kevin Martin’s rink for the ‘06-07 season and has remained in Alberta since.

While he moved back to Regina from 2009 to ’11, he still curled out of Alberta. He moved to Calgary in 2011, and that’s where he has remained.

“I’ve been gone for pretty much 13 years,” Hebert said. “Alberta has been great to me. It’s not a lot different than Saskatchewan, which is kind of why I really love both provinces. (They’re) very similar in a lot of ways. The friends and family that I have here in Regina, I miss and love them forever and it’s great. But Calgary is a nicer city. Who are we kidding?”

While he calls Alberta home now, he admitted that when it comes to sports, Saskatchewan has the most passionate fans in all of Canada.

“I just think this is the best sports province in general,” he said.

Hebert said he grew up as a Regina Pats fan, and it’s a special moment to get to curl in the arena that WHL team calls home.

“To be able to play here in this barn – it was the Agridome when I was growing up – it’s pretty special,” Hebert said.

“Curling fans in Saskatchewan are awesome, but just in general I think they are the best sports fans in the country, so (it’s) pretty special to be able to play here.”

Hebert won the 2008 and 2009 Briers as a member of Martin’s rink. In 2015, he joined Kevin Koe’s Alberta rink, winning the 2016 and 2019 titles.

Now the lead on Brendan Bottcher’s Alberta rink, Hebert is trying to win a fifth Canadian men’s curling title.

“You’ve got to be consistent through the week. You’re going to need some big shots here and there from the skipper (and) you’re going to need some misses from the other team,” said Hebert, whose squad will take a 3-1 record into Tuesday’s evening draw.

“Our goal right now is to make it into the playoffs and make the final six and if we do that we will be in a real good spot. It’s not the best team the first weekend; it’s the best team that wins the last weekend.”

Bottcher’s rink comes into the tournament as the top-ranked team in Canada after having a successful season. Hebert said a good year can give a team lots of confidence heading into the Brier.

“We have been working hard,” he said. “We’re not looking for magic in a bottle here – we don’t need to fluke any wins. We know if we play good, we’re going to have a good chance at the end of the week. Teams are tough and we’re going to have to elevate our game.

“To win a Brier, you don’t usually win with mediocre curling. We’re going to have to crank it up a gear or two and play solid throughout the lineup. If we do that, we’re going to have a good shot. Guys are working hard and we have a really good team.”

If he meets Saskatchewan at any point, Hebert said he’s not expecting the fans to have any qualms about cheering against him.

“There’s no question the Saskie fans are going to get behind (Colton) Flasch and (Mike) McEwen wearing the green jerseys, and I expected that. Just as long as we’re playing on the last day, I’m pretty happy,” Hebert said.

“If they want to cheer for us, I’d love that. If they don’t, then I’ve got enough people cheering for me, so it’s all good.”