It’s a strange sight for those not familiar with the tradition – octopuses, squid and other sea creatures raining down onto the ice at hockey games. This phenomenon is most common during Detroit Red Wings games at Joe Louis Arena, where fans hurl cephalopods on the ice when the Red Wings score their first goal.
Quick Answers
Where did the tradition originate?
The tradition of throwing octopuses started in the 1952 playoffs when a fish market owner named Pete Cusimano threw one onto the ice at Olympia Stadium to bring the Red Wings good luck. The eight legs of the octopus symbolized the eight wins needed to win the Stanley Cup at the time.
When did squid throwing become popular?
Squid throwing didn’t catch on until much later. It became more common in the 1990s as octopuses became harder to acquire. Fans adopted the more readily available squid as a substitute.
Why do fans do it?
It’s considered good luck for the Red Wings. The sea creature’s eight legs symbolize the eight victories needed to win the Stanley Cup. Fans hope throwing one on the ice will propel their team to victory.
Is it allowed?
Technically no – it’s prohibited to throw anything on the ice at an NHL game. But Detroit fans get away with it as a long-standing tradition. Arena staff even keeps a tank of cephalopods on hand for fans to purchase.
What happens to the squid?
Arena staff scoops up the squid or octopus off the ice as quickly as possible. The sea creatures are not returned to fans. Cleaning crews dispose of them after the game.
History of the Tradition
The origins of throwing cephalopods can be traced back to the 1952 Detroit Red Wings playoff run. That year, the Wings were facing the Montreal Canadiens in the Stanley Cup finals. Pete Cusimano, a fish market owner in Detroit’s Eastern Market, decided to throw an octopus onto the ice at Olympia Stadium during Game 1.
Cusimano’s logic was that the eight tentacles of the octopus represented the eight victories needed to win the Stanley Cup at the time. The octopus throw was intended to bring good fortune to the Red Wings as they pursued the championship. According to legend, Cusimano launched the octopus from the stands onto the ice surface during play.
The Red Wings went on to defeat Montreal in seven games to win the Stanley Cup in 1952. When the Red Wings repeated as champions in 1954, fans knew Cusimano’s octopus throw had brought them luck. Throwing octopuses on the ice soon became a playoff tradition supporters hoped would propel the team to more titles.
In later decades, particularly the 1990s, it became harder for fans to get their hands on octopuses. To adapt, fans began substituting readily available squid instead. The tradition evolved into throwing any cephalopod, though octopuses remain most popular when available.
Memorable Cephalopod Throws
Some of the more memorable octopus and squid throws over the years include:
- In 1996, Bob Dubisky hurled a 38-pound octopus onto the ice after attaching it to his bowling ball.
- In 2008, Jason Berry tossed a 50-pound octopus onto the ice during the Stanley Cup finals.
- In 2017, Red Wings fan Robert Seggio smuggled an octopus into a playoff game by hiding it inside a burrito.
Fans have gotten increasingly creative about concealing the contraband cephalopods and ensuring they make it onto the ice. But no matter the delivery method, the meaning remains the same – to bring good fortune to the Red Wings in their playoff quest for the Cup.
By the Numbers
Let’s take a look at some key numbers related to Detroit’s flying cephalopod tradition:
| Octopus Throws in 2018 Playoffs | 34 |
|---|---|
| Estimated All-Time Throws | Over 1,000 |
| Most Throws in One Game | 36 (April 15, 2008) |
| Fewest Legs on Thrown Cephalopod | 6 |
| Most Legs on Thrown Cephalopod | 10 |
| Average Weight | 5-20 pounds |
| Heaviest Thrown | 50 pounds |
While octopuses were originally more popular due to the symbolism of eight legs, squid have become more common throws in recent decades. Regardless of the species, the sea creatures routinely rain down during Red Wings playoff runs as fans hope to uplift the team.
Throwing Techniques
Executing the throw takes some skill. Fans must smuggle the slippery cephalopod into the arena, waiting for the right moment to launch it over the glass onto the ice. Here are some of the techniques fans employ:
- Concealing in clothing – Fans hide octopuses or squid under bulky sweaters or jackets, sneaking them into the arena.
- Stashing in accessories – Backpacks, purses, hats, and other accessories have all been used to hide a cephalopod.
- Visiting the tank – Joe Louis Arena maintains a tank of octopuses available for purchase. Fans can conveniently grab one on the way to their seat.
- Collapsing and tossing – Grabbing the cephalopod by the head, fans launch the limp body over the glass onto the ice.
- Swinging by the legs – Other fans swing the upside-down cephalopod by its legs a few times before release.
Skilled cephalopod launcher Bobby Jensen – known as “Al the Octopus” – claimed the swinging technique enabled superior aim. Regardless of method, the throws require careful timing and aim to land octopus or squid directly on the ice.
Arena and League Response
NHL rules technically prohibit throwing anything on the ice during gameplay. However, the Red Wings organization and the league make an exception for the octopus/squid tradition. They recognize fans throw the sea creatures not to disrupt the game, but to bring the Red Wings good fortune.
That said, the Joe Louis Arena crew does quickly clean cephalopods off the ice after they land. The sea creatures are not returned to fans post-throw. Arena staff scoop up the octopuses and squid and dispose of them after the game.
The organization also pleads with fans only to throw cephalopods following the national anthem and Red Wings goals. Throws during gameplay can delay match time. The team encourages safe, timely throws that minimize disruption.
Overall, the NHL and Red Wings tolerate cephalopod throwing, within reason, as an endearing part of Detroit hockey lore. While technically prohibited, the tradition is a harmless way fans try to boost their team.
Acquiring Cephalopods
The main challenge for fans is actually obtaining octopuses and squid to throw. It’s not easy getting seafood into hockey arenas. Here are some ways fans secure cephalopods:
- Purchasing at the tank – Joe Louis Arena maintains a special tank just for octopus sales before playoff games.
- Visiting Eastern Market – Detroit’s historic food hub offers fresh octopus and squid at its seafood markets.
- Commercial fishing – Some superfans go charter fishing to catch octopus themselves pre-playoff.
- Online ordering – Octopus and squid can be ordered online and shipped overnight.
Fresh, raw octopus typically costs $40-$60 depending on size. Squid is slightly cheaper at $30-$40 per 3-pound portion. Stocking up gets pricey for frequent cephalopod launchers. Fortunately, passionate fans are willing to pay the price for good luck charms benefiting their team.
The Red Wings organization strongly discourages fans from throwing animals that are still alive. All cephalopods should be thawed and prepared humanely if not purchased pre-dead.
Cleanup and Aftermath
Once a cephalopod hits the ice, Joe Louis Arena staff act swiftly to remove it. Crews hastily scoop up the sea creatures to keep the game moving with minimal disruption.
The octopuses and squid are not returned to fans post-throw. The cleaning staff dispose of them humanely after each game. In the past, cephalopods were composted or donated to the Belle Isle Zoo to feed animals.
Throwing objects on the ice does technically incur a penalty. For cephalopod throwers, the NHL typically issues a warning without further punishment. Fans are briefly detained until police verify they aren’t carrying other items.
Arena crews using squeegees, scoops, and towels do their best to clean up any slippery cephalopod residue left behind. Octopus and squid remains have caused players to lose their footing if not properly cleaned.
Overall, Joe Louis Arena has the post-throw cleanup process well-rehearsed. Crews quickly remove cephalopods with minimal game delay or mess left behind on the ice.
Costs and Legality
Along with purchasing octopus and squid, throwers do incur some other costs:
- Cleanup fees – The Joe Louis Arena charges cephalopod throwers $500 per incident for cleanup costs.
- Fines – NHL rules allow for a $100 fine for throwing objects on the ice. Octopus fines are rare but have been issued.
- Ejections – Throwers face possible ejection from the arena if found carrying other contraband items.
Throwing anything on the ice is technically prohibited by the NHL rulebook. However, the cephalopod tradition is an accepted exception in Detroit, with throwers rarely facing serious penalties.
Fans assume cleanup costs and the risk of ejection to participate in this decades-long superstition. For passionate supporters, boosting their team’s Stanley Cup fortunes makes the risks worthwhile.
Cultural Significance
Beyond superstition, octopus and squid throwing holds deeper meaning for Red Wings fans. The tradition represents Detroit’s unique identity and the city’s ties to the seafood industry.
The throw traces its origin to the city’s Eastern Market, where Pete Cusimano acquired the original octopus. Detroit was once a fishing hub, and its proximity to the Great Lakes gave it maritime connections.
For fans, launching cephalopods is a symbolic way to channel the city’s distinct culture and heritage. The tradition also reflects bonds between fans, and their shared hope of bringing glory to their beloved Red Wings.
Above all, it’s an exhibition of the passion, resilience and spirit Detroiters pour into supporting their sports teams. Come playoff time, the flying cephalopods showcase the city’s seamless fusion of odd traditions, nostalgia, glory and grit.
Environmental Impact
Some octopus throw opponents have raised concerns about the tradition’s environmental impact. Is there any validity to claims it depletes cephalopod populations or promotes wastefulness?
Experts say occasional recreational octopus and squid fishing for special events like Red Wings games has negligible impact on populations. Cephalopod throwing also represents only a tiny fraction of overall octopus/squid consumption.
The Seafood Watch program run by Monterey Bay Aquarium continues to rate commonly thrown cephalopod species like Octopus Vulgaris as “Best Choice” seafood with healthy, sustainable stocks. No evidence suggests tossing a few in hockey games threatens the species.
Of course, any food waste, however small, has an environmental cost. But cephalopod throwing is deeply entwined in Detroit’s cultural fabric, forged from generations of superstition and folklore. Achieving a balance between tradition and sustainability remains an ongoing quest.
Future of the Tradition
What does the future hold for Detroit’s legendary flying cephalopods? Several factors may impact the tradition moving forward:
- The Red Wings’ move to Little Caesars Arena in 2017 – Will the new venue be as octopus-friendly?
- Increased security/crackdown on smuggling – Getting cephalopods into arenas may get harder.
- Changing attitudes – Younger fans may not feel the same allegiance to tradition.
- Continued cultural significance – Longtime fans will likely keep the spirit alive.
Some believe the NHL may eventually explicitly ban octopus and squid throwing as less tolerated antics. But Red Wings devotees argue the tradition is here to stay – ingrained in Detroit’s cultural DNA.
Come spring playoffs, fans say there will always be cephalopods sailing through the air at Red Wings games. The enduring tradition reflects hope springing eternal in Hockeytown.
Conclusion
The peculiar ritual of throwing octopuses and squid onto the ice at Red Wings games has a long, storied history in Detroit hockey lore. While technically prohibited, it is embraced as a symbolic good luck charm fans hope will bring their team victory.
The tradition traces back to fish market owner Pete Cusimano, who launched the first octopus in 1952. Over decades it evolved to include squid as well. Today the cephalopod throw is a culturally significant tradition representing Detroiters’ passion and resilience.
Despite mess, costs and unwritten rules, the iconic sight of octopuses and squid flying over the glass during playoffs persists. It’s a unique, enduring exhibition of Detroit hockey fans’ unrestrained devotion to their beloved Red Wings.