The Thunder has “won” the Most-Annoying Fans category for five straight years in the CHL’s annual Best of the Best poll. Hecklers like Grant Norris and Chad Byers are a big reason why. The question this week, of course, is whether they will unleash some verbal barbs toward former Thunder star Travis Clayton, who returns to the Coliseum as a member of the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs on Saturday night. A Q & A with each follows.
Norris has been a season ticket holder for 16 years.
What did you like most about Clayton’s style of play? He gave 100 percent each and every shift and he would always stand up for his teammates.
Do you expect Clayton to get mostly cheers or mostly boos on Saturday night? Wow, that is a tough prediction. On one hand, he poured his heart and soul into the Wichita Thunder and provided all of us Thunder fans with years of great memories. On the other hand, he is in a Bossier Shreveport Mudbug jersey. I’m predicting he will get more boos than he will cheers.
Will you boo/heckle Clayton? I plan to cheer for him before the game starts but after that I’m a Wichita Thunder fan. However, I won’t boo him and I will not heckle him (nor Blaznek for that matter). I chose the same path with Wiebe and Laplante in their return last year; some former Thunder players I’m just not comfortable heckling and he falls into that category. Anything I throw out their way will be good natured. Now, I can’t speak for the rest of the section. I imagine they will both get chirped pretty hard Saturday night.
Byers has had season tickets for 15 years.
What did you like most about Clayton’s style of play? He never gave up no matter what the score was or how the Thunder were doing in the standings.
Do you expect Clayton to get mostly cheers or mostly boos on Saturday night? I expect mostly cheers.
Will you boo/heckle Clayton? I will heckle a little bit…mainly just to see what kind of reaction I will get from him if any. I won’t boo him at all. He was a great player and dedicated to the Thunder when he was here.