what is the significance of the octopus in hockey?

Answer 1

If you happen to go to a Red Wings game and wonder why an octopus is lying on the ice (after narrowly missing your head!), it's because Octopi is the Red Wings' lucky charm. On April 15, 1952,two brothers started it, that owned a fish shop. The eight legs used to represent the wins needed to win the Stanley Cup. an octopus was thrown onto the ice before the game and they went onto win it, so they've done it ever since! The fans also use the octopus and throw them out on the ice when a hat trick is scored by the Red Wings.

Answer 2

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.

Answer 3

The octopus was thrown onto the ice at a Red Wings game back in 1952. The Wings were only eight wins away from winning the Stanley cup and because the octopus has eight tentacles they each symbolized one win that was needed. The wing swept the series that year and went on to win the cup.It has been a good luck charm ever since.

Answer 4

When a player from detroit does a hat trick a or some fans will throw an octopus. It is just a tradition for the hockeytown fans. Most of the other teams fans throw hats.

Answer 5

People used to throw roses, but this guy in Detroit who owned a fish market couldn't afford one (it was during the Depression), so he brought an octopus from his store and threw it on the ice. It was considered a delicacy at the time, so it was actually worth more than roses, but they ended up winning the game, and so everyone decided it was good luck, and made it a tradition.

Answer 6

It is only significant to Detroit. Back in the 'old days' it only took 8 wins all together to win the Stanley Cup. Some guy who owned a fish market started it.

Answer 7

Detroit does it in the playoffs to represent the old playoff system. They keep it going as a tradition. The whole thing is 8 wins won it and they swept the two series. So they got 8 wins in a row and that was what started it.

Answer 8

In the past you only needed to win 8 games to win the Stanley Cup (2 Rounds). That is why Wings fans still to this day throw octopi on the ice. They think it will help them win, its tradition. Even though it takes 16 wins now. I don't remeber Wing fans doing this when they were bad in the early to mid 80's.

Answer 9

It's also against the rules. NHL rules say that the home team will be penalized if their fans throw things on the ice. Good luck or not, that is designed to include octopusses in Detroit and plastic rats in Florida. Unfortunately the refs don't call it, and the ice ends up crappy because of octopus goo.

Answer 10

Thats just in Detroit. They throw Octopus' on the ice during the playoffs.