NHL, Flames announce animated ‘Harvey’s Mountain Classic’ on Sportsnet

Get ready for more virtual hockey.

The NHL announced “a variety of unique and exciting” animated programs for the rest of the 2024-25 regular season. Among them will be the “Harvey’s Mountain Classic” on Sportsnet, when the Calgary Flames host the San Jose Sharks on April 13.

“We are excited to partner with Sportsnet and the NHL to provide Flames fans with a fresh, fun and innovative platform to enjoy Flames hockey from a different lens,” said Calgary Sports and Entertainment’s CEO Lorenzo DeCicco in a statement released by the team. “We expect Harvey’s Mountain Classic will be appealing to all Flames supporters with a focus on delivering Flames hockey to our younger fan base in a very original and engaging way.”

In a statement released by the league, the animated data visualizations (dubbed NHL HOCKEYVERSE) are representative of a global effort to feature innovative applications of technology with hockey. NHL EDGE positional data will be used to deliver game broadcasts in “fun and engaging ways.”

The Harvey’s Mountain Classic will air on Sportsnet 360 and stream on Sportsnet+ alongside the primary Flames and Sharks national broadcast on Sportsnet One. The concept for the broadcast will centre around Flames mascot Harvey the Hound, who has made it his mission to ensure his team experiences hockey at its purest by playing an outdoor game this season. Harvey will lead the teams up to the mountains of Alberta to a rink on a frozen lake where the conditions will be perfect to watch the Flames and explore the great outdoors.

Calling the animated game will be familiar voices Brendan Parker, host of Flames TV, who will provide play-by-play, alongside Meaghan Mikkelson of Sportsnet 960 for colour commentary. Both will be immersed into the NHL HOCKEYVERSE as animated characters while calling the game.

The “Harvey’s Mountain Classic” will be the first real-time, full-length NHL animated data visualization to be carried in Canada.

Here is a full list of scheduled animated game broadcasts for the rest of the season.

March 11: “Best Snow Day Ever” — Panthers vs. Bruins
It will bring kids on an imaginary snow day with no school where they follow Blades, the Bruins’ mascot, on an adventure as he’s transported into a snow globe of an imaginary Boston. The story incorporates an exciting mix of STEM-focused lessons, using hockey as a vehicle to make math, physics and science concepts come together in a way that is both fun and educational.

March 16: “NHL Showcase presented by Dr Simi+” — Stars vs. Avalanche
It will be broadcast in Spanish and feature Dr. Simi, the iconic mascot of Dr. Simi+, a leading health and wellness company in Latin America.

March 29: “Hockey Paradise” — Islanders vs. Lightning
Floridian adventures with ThunderBug, the Lightning mascot, will unfold as the Lightning take on the Islanders in an animated environment featuring the buildings, beaches and water life of Tampa Bay.

April 1: “Music City Hockey in Smashville” — Predators vs. Blue Jackets
Predators mascot GNASH will go on an adventure with his Music City friends to watch a Predators hockey game.

April 13: “Harvey’s Mountain Classic” — Sharks vs. Flames
Flames mascot Harvey the Hound has made it his mission to ensure his team experiences hockey at its purest by playing an outdoor game this season. Harvey will lead the team up to the Rocky Mountains of Alberta to a beautiful rink on a frozen lake where the conditions will be perfect to watch the Flames and explore the great outdoors.