Calgary Flames to make history with first-ever fully animated NHL game in Canada
The Calgary Flames are fighting for their playoff lives right now, but fans will have a new way to watch them for at least one game next month.
While fans of the team are sure to be happy watching them as they are, the team announced a special and unique event slated for their game against the San Jose Sharks on April 13. On top of the regular broadcast slated to be on Sportsnet One, there will also be an animated version of the game that will run at the same time on Sportsnet 360.
This is being touted as the first full-length NHL animated game data visualization game in Canada. The official name for the game is “Harvey’s Mountain Classic”.
“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 Lorenzo DeCicco, the COO of Calgary Sports and Entertainment.
“We expect Harvey’s Mountain Classic will be appealing to the entire C of Red with a focus on delivering Flames hockey to our younger fan base in a very original and engaging way.”
#Flames hockey but make it animated 🙌
Canada’s first-ever real-time full-length NHL Animated Data Visualization in partnership with the @NHL and @Sportsnet will take place on April 13th against the Sharks for Harvey’s Mountain Classic!
Details: https://t.co/xx3j0pyae2 pic.twitter.com/xFyD7sEiCF
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) March 5, 2025
As the name suggests, the animated game will heavily feature the Flames’ mascot Harvey the Hound. The beloved firehouse hound will lead the Flames and Sharks up to the rocky mountains in the animated adventure and the teams will virtually play a game on a frozen lake.
Flames TV host Brendan Parker will serve as the play-by-play voice for the animated game while Sportsnet 960’s Meaghan Mikkelson will be on colour. Each of them will have their very own animated avatars featured throughout the game. They will also have each of their sons featured in the game as they provide “exclusive content series featuring Calgary Flames players, education around hockey and much more.”
Though this is the first-ever full-length animated NHL game in Canada, it isn’t the first time that a game has been at least partially animated. That honour belongs to a game between the Washington Capitals and Vancouver Canucks which aired on February 3.
It may not be everyone’s preferred way of watching hockey, but you have to admit that getting a real-time animated game to play at the same time as the real thing is a unique idea. It’s also a great way to get kids involved in watching NHL games in ways that may be more interesting than a regular broadcast.
More information is slated to be revealed about the event, but it’s looking like a fun idea to add to an already exciting season for the Flames.