Octopus twirl now illegal, punishable by $10,000 fine (NHL)

Mlive/AP ^ | 4-20-07 | George James Malik

[Darren McCarty]

Posted by George James Malik April 19, 2008 08:29AM According to the Free Press's Helene St. James, the NHL has banned Al Sobotka's classic twirling of octopi at Joe Louis Arena:

April 18, Detroit Free Press: Just a little tidbit from Joe Louis Arena: The NHL has decided octopus twirling doesn't fit in with league image, or something to that effect.

The Wings have been told by the league that if Al Sobotka (or anyone else) twirls the octopus that's thrown onto the ice before playoff games, it'll cost the team $10,000.

I know opposing general managers have complained of this tradition because stuff flies off the octopus and sticks to the ice, but this is such a recognizable Detroit tradition.

One landed, just after the game, on the ice before Game 5, as usual. Nashville defenseman Greg Zanon skated by and whacked it aside with his stick.

........

Chris Osgood describes the situation as any Red Wings fan would:

"Certain teams and certain traditions, they should just leave them alone," the Wings' Chris Osgood said. "It's a shame. It's great for the atmosphere, and the fans love it. The league should ask the fans first before they do anything. That's who pays to get into the rink and see the game."

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Weird to me too. Thanks for the picture. He could never get away doing that to Squidward.

[mikrofon]

And why do they call them tentacles when they’re only eight of ‘em?

[afortiori]

Can't say that I can think of a comparable sport ritual involving the desecration of a real dead animal's body.

They used to throw rubber chickens on the ice for a bad call, and hats for a “hat trick.”

I'm no animal right wacko, but this is just weird.

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Is peta involved in this decision? I see no harm in it.

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It looks like an innocent enough tradition. People sure do get twisted in a knot easily today.

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ROTFL

[mc5cents]

When you are stuck in Detroit for the winter,

Fixed.

[jonrick46]

Mmmm! Octipus tenderized tentacles for the tailgate party outside. Put me at the front of the line.

[Red Steel]

Better images

[Cold Heart]

It was twirling a dead cat over your head, at midnight, in a cemetary. Wart removal.

[TYVets]

They used to throw rubber chickens on the ice

Throwing a rubber octopus onto the ice would make the PC boss happy?

I think you have something there!

[afortiori]

Indeed, the origins of some traditions are hard to explain.

[Stoat]

Related video that may be of interest....includes 'twirling' footage

YouTube - The Octopus and Catfish

[EQAndyBuzz]

Octopus twirl, dead cat bounce, dog days of summer, wabbit season, no, duck season.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

I hope these octopi are dead already. I’m no animal rights nut, but twirling and throwing a live one around seems cruel. However, if it’s dead already, up yours, Bettman!

[Krankor]

Abusing or tormenting any kind of animal is despicable and cowardly. It shows a lack of humanity.

[driftdiver]

They are dead.

[Krankor]

Ok, thank you.

[driftdiver]

No if PETA were involved they would inject them with poison and then dump them in a garbage bin.

[Mr_Moonlight]

The tradition of throwing octopus on the ice began back in 1952. Brothers Pete and Gerry Cusimano, being from a fish market family, thought that an octopus would be the perfect good luck symbol for the Red Wings. It had eight legs, and the Wings needed eight straight wins for the Stanley Cup. Made sense to them, anyways.
They brought their first octopus to Game 3 against the Canadiens. Pete threw the octopus on the ice after Gordie Howe scored his first goal. Official George Hays, one of the portlier linesman, skated over to remove it from the ice. When he reached down and saw what it was, both skates came off the ice and he skated away.
Seeing this, Detroit defenseman Marcel Pronovost skated over and hit it with his stick. This caused one of the tentacles to move, and Pronovost decided to skate elsewhere. The players stood around nervously until a groundskeeper removed the octopus with a shovel.
The good luck charm worked, it seems, as Detroit did win in eight straight.

[excerpt]

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From George Plimpton's "Open Net" book, the Octopus story of which a paraphrased version can be read HERE