The Calgary Flames' mascot, Harvey the Hound, has been named to the 2025 Mascot Hall of Fame ballot — and appears to be the only Canadian nominee this year.
Harvey is one of more than two dozen mascots on the ballot.
According to the Mascot Hall of Fame website, the organization's mission is to "recognize and honour the best of the best mascot characters and programs in existence."
The awards allow mascots to be nominated in seven categories:
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Greatest Community Impact
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Best In-Game Routine or Skit
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Best Video Short
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Best Corporate Use for Brand
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Best Independent Mascot
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Best Collegiate Live Animal Mascot Program
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Best Collegiate Live Human Mascot Program
Each category is divided by level, including Major League Sports, Minor League Sports, Collegiate, High School, Corporate, and Independent. Mascots compete within their level.
"Once the ballots are set, voting is 100% based on public vote," the site states. Public voting is open from May 11 to May 24, and voters can select one mascot per category and level each day.
Harvey is listed under the Major League Sports category.
To qualify for induction, mascots must have performed in their role for at least 10 years and show documented impact. According to the rules, voting should be based on a mascot's "record of contributions to the team, school, or organization," as well as a "major impact on their sport, and/or community," "performances... considered memorable and/or groundbreaking," and a "unique, fun and memorable" design.
Voting is conducted by two groups: the general public and the Mascot Hall of Fame Executive Committee. Committee members are described as "a body of current and past performers along with executives in the industry," and their votes are weighted six times more than those of the public.
To be inducted, a mascot must receive at least 60 per cent of the overall vote, including a minimum of five per cent from both voting groups. If fewer than two mascots reach 60 per cent, the top two vote-getters will be inducted.
According to the Calgary Flames website, Harvey was drafted in 1983 and is described as the NHL's first mascot. He is listed at six feet six and appears at Calgary Flames games and community events across Calgary and southern Alberta. The team describes Harvey as "one of the most recognizable mascots in all of professional sports."
Other Mascot Hall of Fame inductees include Youppi! of the Montreal Canadiens, who was inducted in 2019. If successful, Harvey would be the second Canadian mascot to enter the Hall.
Ballots will be certified and results released in June.
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