The hockey octopus team mascot is a unique and beloved tradition in the world of ice hockey. Originating in Detroit, Michigan, this quirky mascot has become an iconic symbol of the city's hockey team, the Detroit Red Wings. The tradition dates back to 1952 when two fans threw an octopus onto the ice during a playoff game to signify the eight wins needed to win the Stanley Cup. The crowd loved it and the tradition was born. Since then, the hockey octopus has become an integral part of Detroit Red Wings games. As the team enters the ice, fans eagerly wave their stuffed octopuses, often referred to as "twisters".
DETROIT – Al the Octopus is a beloved symbol of passion, tradition, and a whole lot of winning for Detroit Red Wings fans.
But apparently fans of the NHL s 31 other teams aren t as enamored with the longtime purple mascot named for former Joe Louis Arena building operations manager and current Little Caesars Arena building operations manager Al Sobotka. But apparently fans of the NHL s 31 other teams aren t as enamored with the longtime purple mascot named for former Joe Louis Arena building operations manager and current Little Caesars Arena building operations manager Al Sobotka.
As the team enters the ice, fans eagerly wave their stuffed octopuses, often referred to as "twisters". The octopus tradition has even spread to other hockey teams and arenas, with fans of various teams embracing the quirky mascot and incorporating it into their own game rituals. The significance of the hockey octopus as a team mascot goes beyond just a fun fan tradition.
Hockey octopus team mascot
Did you guys know this? I am just finding this out. I think maybe once kinda I sort of might have heard that the Wings had a weird short lived bird mascot back in the day, but I never knew what he looked like, his name, or what he stood for. My dad educated me well on Winged Wheeled history, but he never really filled me in on the Detroit Red Wings mascot situation regarding “The Winger”. For good reason too, my dad is a man who grew up with Lindsay, Howe, and gritty ole-tyme- no-mask-wearin ‘ hockey and didn’t pussy-foot around with things like mascots.
Well, according to the most reliable history source on the internet, Wikipedia…
In the 1980s the Detroit Red Wings also briefly had a mascot named The Winger. The Detroit Red Wings mascot “The Winger” appeared when Mike Ilitch bought the team in 1982 and continued mascoting until the end of the 1987 season.
Gordie and (fuck it) Winger muckin it up
What kinda bums me out is that his name isn’t just “Winger”. It’s more relatable and it’s like he’s your buddy. The Winger makes him sound like some sort of deity that haunts the stadium every year if the boys don’t make the playoffs .
But who cares. The Wings don’t go for cute cuddly buddy-up mascots. We don’t need some asshole covered in felt to make us proud or excited to root for our team. We just huck dead octopi on the ice then tell people unaware of the tradition that you used to have to win 8 games to win the Cup. That’s good enough justification for hurling the dead carcass of an aquatic beast on the ice every time we take a one goal lead in a playoff game. Remember when PETA tried to get us to stop doing that? And incentivized it with a shitty squish puss?
Furthermore, Al, and the playoff success he symbolizes have long been a point of pride that hockey fans in Detroit aren’t afraid to tout, so it’s easy to see why fans of opposing teams would be annoyed.
It has become a symbol of good luck and playoff success for the Detroit Red Wings. In fact, it is believed that the octopus played a role in the team's early success, as they went on to win the Stanley Cup in 1952 after the original octopus throw. Over the years, the Red Wings have continued to have success in the playoffs, often with multiple octopuses being thrown onto the ice during crucial games. The octopus tradition has evolved over time, with new elements being added to enhance the fan experience. The team even has an official mascot named Al the octopus, who interacts with fans and adds to the excitement during games. Additionally, the organization holds an annual "Octopi Hockeytown" event where fans can participate in octopus-related activities and watch a live octopus race. Overall, the hockey octopus team mascot is a unique and beloved tradition that has become synonymous with the Detroit Red Wings and their success in the NHL playoffs. Whether it's a stuffed octopus being waved in the stands or a real one being thrown onto the ice, this quirky mascot has captured the hearts of fans and become an iconic symbol of hockey fandom and tradition..
Reviews for "Octopus-Related Incidents: Controversies Surrounding the Hockey Mascot"
- John - 1 star - The hockey octopus team mascot was the worst thing I have ever seen on a sports field. It looked ridiculous and had no connection to the team or the sport. It was distracting and took away from the actual game. I really hope they reconsider using it in the future.
- Sarah - 2 stars - I have to admit that the hockey octopus team mascot had potential, but it fell short in execution. The costume looked cheap and poorly made, and the person inside didn't do a good job of interacting with the crowd. It just felt awkward and out of place. I think the team can come up with something much better for their mascot.
- Ryan - 3 stars - While I didn't hate the hockey octopus team mascot, I just didn't understand its purpose. It didn't add any excitement or entertainment to the game, and it seemed like a random choice for a mascot. I think the team should focus on creating a mascot that truly represents the spirit of the sport and the team.