Just Curious, how did the octopuss thing get started with the Detroit Red Wings?

Question

I never understood the octopuss thing? It's been many years since I've been up in Detroit let alone to a game. In all honesty, why an octopuss? Please explain this... been out of the loop for so long I forgot? must be old age or having a child! LOL

thanks in advance... take care everyone.

Answer 1

Some really hammered bum just threw one on the ice one day and from then on the whole thing was just blown out of proportion.

Answer 2

I know. It should be a spider. Spiders are more native to Detroit than Octopi. At least in my house they are. Great Lakes maybe?

Also, why a purple octopus?

The Red Wings swept the playoffs in the 50's. In that era you needed 8 wins to win the Stanley Cup. An octopus has 8 legs...that's about it.

Answer 3

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.

Answer 4

Seriously! The Wings are one of the original six NHL teams. At that time it only took eight wins to get Lord Stanley's Cup as the league was much smaller so there were only two rounds. As the octopus has eight legs, it became our tradition to throw an octopus on the ice at playoff games, just our way of saying "We Want Stanley". It is one of the oldest traditions in hockey and professional sports, and one that really revs up the fans. The fans at the Joe Louis arena (The Joe) just roar when an octopus is thrown on the ice - you'd swear the roof lifts up it is soooooo loud!

Answer 5

The eight legs of the octopus represent the number of wins needed to win the Stanley Cup. The tradition started when there were only two rounds in the playoffs. Now the tradition is to throw the octopus on the ice during the last game of the second round.

GO WINGS!!!

Answer 6

Originally, 8 wins equaled the Cup...octopusoires have 8 legs.