Why do fans throw an octopus on the ice in hockey games?

Question

Why do fans throw an octopus on the ice in hockey games?

Answer 1

It is a tradition started in 1952 I believe, started by a couple of brothers in the  Detroit area to symbolize the eight wins needed for the Stanley Cup.  Then Al Sobotka started to twirl them around to get everyone excited at home until the wee little Bettman threatened to fine him 10 grand I believe, if he did it anymore. But I digress, it is just a time honored tradition for the Redwings.

Answer 2

for fun: tradition; cause they can; its sweet; then al (zambonie dude) has to come on the ice and pick it up

Answer 3

they throw octopi on the ice because of tradtion. it started like 40 yrs around there some where but the eight legs show a meaning of different things. after that people have been using it as a tradtion and i think that in the Red Wings stadium they are known for doing that the most.

Answer 4

Its an old tradition only in Detroit.  At the beginning of each playoff game they throw an octopus on the ice for "good luck" because back in time when it was just the original six, it only took 8 wins to win the cup in the playoffs, so the octopus' eight arms symbolize the eight wins it took to win it all. (today its 16 wins).

Answer 5

It's a detroit tradition.  I am not sure when it was started but it is a tradition for them.

Answer 6

detroit fans throw them at ribeiro's head

Answer 7

it's a tradition in detroit. it's been around for a long time as the red wings were one of the original six teams in the NHL (or whatever it was called back then). the deeper the season goes, the more likely it gets. so if they make it to the finals (only one more game against dallas to win) then expect a couple dozen out their. i believe they also usually do it on the first home game of the season

Answer 8

That's disgusting. They're heathens.

Answer 9

It's just in Detroit.  It was first done back in 1952 during a Cup run by the Wings.  The Wings ended up going 8-0 and winning the Cup.  Ever since then, there has been an octopus tossed at the game for good luck.  There have been a couple of changes since '52 but the premise is still the same.

Answer 10

It is a tradition in Detroit since 1952.  Back then it took 8 wins to win the cup.  Two brothers, Pete and Jerry Cusimano had a fish market and were Wings fans and would attend the games.  They came up with the idea and threw the first octopus onto the ice.  They believed that the eight legs represented the eight wins needed to win the championship and thought that it may bring luck.  They originally boiled the octopus because it would turn a blood red, almost purple to represent the wings colors.  Hope this helps.  :)

Answer 11

they like there pus cold

haha jk

its tradition

Answer 12

Neanderthals.

Answer 13

Just mostly in Detroit, it is a long tradition during playoffs. I think it has also happened in other cities by Detroit fans to support the Red Wings.

Answer 14

Its a tradition started in Detroit each of the tentacles  of the octopus resembles a  team back when there was only 8 teams in the nhl. it also symbolizes each of the 8 games they had to win to win the cup since it was only a one game series back then