In the early ‘50s, an NHL team needed to win two best-of-seven series to capture the Stanley Cup. (The octopus, with eight arms, symbolized those eight wins.) During the 1952 playoffs, Detroit store owners Pete and Jerry Cusimano, hurled an octopus onto the rink at the Detroit Olympia, creating one of the greatest traditions in hockey.

The Red Wings went on to sweep the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens en route to the ‘52 championship, as well as two of the next three Stanley Cups. With the NHL’s expansion, the team needs 16 wins (four best-of-four series) for a Stanley Cup, and the Red Wings now hang two ceremonial octopi from the rafters of Joe Louis Arena during playoff runs.

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