History
Created, owned and performed by Grant Kelba, Harvey made his debut in 1983 serving as the mascot of the Flames and later as a second mascot for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. His popularity with the Flames was such that many teams contacted Kelba about making mascots for their own teams.
His first game, February 16, 1984 was a Flames rout over the Pittsburgh Penguins, 10 – 3 at the Pengrowth Saddledome. Both Lanny McDonald and Doug Risebrough scored hat tricks and ever since Harvey has been a fixture with the Flames. Harvey has remained a mainstay at Flames games, and at many events throughout Calgary and southern Alberta ever since.
Under Kelba's management, Harvey was invited by the NHL to attend 7 All Star Games and tour Japan to promote the NHL over there. Kelba sold Harvey to the Flames in 1996 and stayed on performing until his retirement in 1999. After a 15 year career, Kelba has moved onto other creative ventures and left a legacy of mascot performances that still solidify his reputation for a quality performance without creating controversy or problems. "Kelba's act was just good clean fun". Kelba was long since retired by the time of the tongue incident.
Read more about this topic: Harvey The Hound
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