[smc]

Originally Posted by a9127

That would be a lot of fun. Much better than meeting in Detroit. Growing up there, I've been to many Red Wings games but I never knew the exact origins of the dead octopus tradition. Maybe it has something to do with the current state of the city?

"The origins of the activity go back to the 1952 playoffs, when a National Hockey League team played two best-of-seven series to capture the Stanley Cup. The octopus, having eight arms, symbolized the number of playoff wins necessary for the Red Wings to win the Stanley Cup. The practice started April 15, 1952 when Pete and Jerry Cusimano, brothers and storeowners in Detroit's Eastern Market, hurled an octopus into the rink of The Old Red Barn.[1][dead link] The team swept the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens en route to winning the championship, as well as winning two of the next three championships." -- from Wikipedia