Al the Octopus, a symbol of a distinct and rather unusual tradition at Detroit Red Wings games, represents the enduring custom of tossing octopuses onto the ice for good luck. This vibrant practice, unique to the professional ice hockey team, has persisted since 1952.
This quirky tradition first unfolded on April 15, 1952, when Pete and Jerry Cusimano, two brothers who operated a fish market, launched an octopus onto the ice at Olympia Stadium. The eight limbs of the octopus represented the eight victories needed to secure the Stanley Cup during that period. The Red Wings had an unblemished record in the playoffs, standing one win short of not only securing the Cup but also becoming the first unbeaten team in NHL’s post-season history. As if the octopus was a harbinger of fortune, the Red Wings triumphed in that game. The next day, the media spotlighted the octopus as a promising omen, thereby cementing the “Legend of the Octopus.”
The Rise of Al the Octopus
In a spirited move to incorporate this tradition more deeply into the Red Wings’ culture, an illustrated purple octopus mascot was brought to life. During the playoffs of 1995, a large octopus prop was revealed, ultimately named “Al,” a tribute to Al Sobotka, the former building operations manager at Joe Louis Arena and Little Caesars Arena. The tradition continued to the new arena as well, with the first octopus being thrown on the ice at Little Caesars Arena a few years back.
Over the years, Al has undergone a few modifications. These changes include the addition of glowing red pupils that flicker on and off, the dressing of Al in an oversized Red Wing Jersey, and the removal of a tooth to bestow Al with a quintessential “hockey player” appearance. Al frequently graces Red Wings apparel and promotional items. There’s a wide range of merchandise that features Al, from stickers and decals to inflatable dolls and plush octopus toys. Al even graced the cover of the 1996 playoff year CD, “A Call to Arms”.
Keeping with the theme of the eight-legged marine creature, Al’s jersey carries the number 8. Since the Red Wings now require 16 wins to claim the Stanley Cup, two replicas of Al swing from the rafters during the playoffs. Still, there is no costumed mascot of Al, possibly due to the challenges of designing a practical outfit. Thus, Detroit continues to be one of the few American sports teams, let alone hockey teams, without a costumed mascot to fire up the crowd.
Al the Octopus: A Divisive Mascot?
According to a recent survey by Play Canada, Al the Octopus has an interesting reputation among NHL mascots. Deemed the second most “obnoxious” mascot in the league, Al is surpassed only by Gritty, the mascot of the Philadelphia Flyers. Other mascots rounding out the top five include “Harvey the Hound” from the Calgary Flames, “Youppi!” from the Montreal Canadiens, and “Bailey” from the Los Angeles Kings.
However, this seemingly negative ranking doesn’t diminish Al’s overall popularity. In fact, he is ranked as the 14th best mascot in the NHL, nestling just behind Hunter of the Edmonton Oilers and surpassing Sparky the Dragon of the New York Islanders. The crowning glory of NHL mascots goes to Carlton the Bear of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Even though Al’s reputation is a mixed bag, his enduring popularity attests to his status as a beloved and unique symbol of the Detroit Red Wings, weaving together the quirky tradition of the Legend of the Octopus and the proud spirit of the Red Wings.
During Red Wings games, Al the Octopus is known for performing various stunts and acrobatic feats during intermissions and breaks in the action. He is a popular and beloved figure among Red Wings fans and is known for his energetic and playful personality. Al the Octopus has become an iconic symbol of the Red Wings and a beloved part of the team’s history and traditions.