2006-07-08 04:35:09 · 18 answers · asked by jimmyg352 1 in Sports ➔ Hockey
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.
2006-07-08 09:50:15 · answer #1 · answered by Tom H 2 · 5⤊ 2⤋
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.
2006-07-08 04:38:44 · answer #2 · answered by ted_armentrout 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
In Ice Hockey, why do Detroit Redwings fans throw squid onto the ice? I knew the answer but I've forgotten!
2015-08-06 19:47:55 · answer #3 · answered by Brittany 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Throwing Squid On The Ice
2017-01-13 05:14:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The octupuss has eight tenaticles to co-inside with the eight wins need to win the stanley cup when the game was played back when the Playoffs were in the 4 out 7, two series format. Hope this helps. All other explainations or answers are wrong.
2006-07-08 08:09:26 · answer #5 · answered by cccswampfoxccc 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they actually throw an octopus on the ice, not a squid, because the eight legs represents how many games (8) it took to win the stanley cup in the early days of the sport when there were only two rounds of playoffs.
2006-07-09 11:15:17 · answer #6 · answered by carldog_jr 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just as tom and ted said . 8 legs equal 8 wins . Have you ever tried to bring one in to the Joe. It is very fun to do.
2006-07-08 10:58:56 · answer #7 · answered by bleacherbrat34 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In Edmonton we throw beef. For no reason it's just in the playoffs.
2006-07-08 15:31:15 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
They think that if they throw the ball far enough Millen might let them join the Lions
2006-07-11 05:42:10 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Eight legs - eight wins.
But the smell is terrible!!!
2006-07-09 10:38:17 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋