Octopus at hockey games?

Question

What is the reason behind throwing an octopus on the ice during a hockey game?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Here is your info : http://www.detroitredwings.com/history/o…

For those non-linkers :

"There are few traditions in sports that compare to those in the game of hockey. One such tradition is the throwing of octopi onto the ice at Red Wings games. Ever wonder how it started?

The octopus first made its appearance on April 15, 1952, during the Red Wings' Stanley Cup playoff run.

Two Detroit brothers, Pete and Jerry Cusimano - storeowner's in Detroit's Eastern Market - threw the eight-legged cephalopod on the ice at Olympia Stadium. Each tentacle of the octopus was symbolic of a win in the playoffs. Back then, the NHL boasted only six teams, and eight wins (two best-of-seven series) were needed to win the Stanley Cup. The Red Wings swept the series that year, and the Octopus has come to be the good luck charm ever since.

The tradition carried over to Joe Louis Arena on opening night in 1979 when several found their way onto the ice.

During the 1995 playoffs, Bob Dubisky and Larry Shotwell, co-workers at a meat and seafood retail company near Detroit, tossed a 38-pound octopus onto the ice during the National Anthem prior to Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. The year after, the duo struck again with a 50-pounder in the Conference Finals. Although the feat received no airtime on the nationally broadcast game, the octopus was proudly displayed on the hood of the Zamboni between periods."

Enjoy!

Source(s):

http://www.detroitredwings.com/history/o…

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Thanks for the info.

Answer 2

It's a playoff tradition. Because before the playoff format only required 8 wins so each of the octopus' legs represent one win need to get the Cup.

Answer 3

Here you go, bro. I heard this a while back, but wanted to research it first.
This is what I found:

For nearly 50 years, Hockey Fans in Detroit have been Throwing Octopi on the Ice after a big win by the Red Wings. This started on April 15, 1952 during the Red Wings' Stanley Cup run. Two brothers, Pete and Jerry Cusimano, who owned a fish shop in Detroit Threw an Octopus on the Ice during a Hockey Game in Detroit.
Each tentacle of the Octopus was symbolic of a win in the playoffs. Back then, the NHL had just six teams and eight wins (two best-of-seven series) were needed to win the Stanley Cup. The largest Octopus to be Thrown on the Ice was a 50 pound Octopus in 1996. The Octopus was proudly displayed on the hood of the Zamboni while the ice at the Joe Louis Arena was being cleaned between periods. From www.kidzworld.com

Answer 4

I know Detroit Does It Because They Feel It Brings The Team Good Luck

Answer 5

Go Wings go!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 6

as a detroit fan it started in the playoffs in the 50's when a fan threw a live octopi on the ice. at the time the NHL had less teams and only needed 8 wins to determine the stanley cup winner. it's stuck for detroit fans since. go to the link for full details

Source(s):

http://www.detroitredwings.com/history/o…

Answer 7

This is what I heard as you know the Stanley Cup Finals are a 7 game series. Well one of the games got cancelled.(Don't know why) so they had to play an 8th game and the octopus has 8 legs.

Answer 8

yer woooooooooooooo dude sound cool