Mascot Madness!

Al the Octopus is the eight legged mascot the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League. In 1952, when east side fish merchants Pete and Jerry Cusimano threw a real octopus onto the Olympia arena ice, the eight legs representing the eight victories needed to secure a Stanley Cup in those six-team days. Since then, fans throw octopi onto the ice for good luck. In one game in the 1995 Playoffs, fans threw forty-five onto the ice.[citation needed] Arena Manager and Zamboni driver Al Sobotka ceremoniously scoops them up, and play continues.
Now a large purple prop octopus (Al), named after ice manager Al Sobotka, is positioned in Joe Louis Arena for the duration of the playoffs.