Mar 27, 2025 , 2:32 PM
A member of the Detroit Red Wings ice crew remove two octopus for the ice after the singing of the national anthem prior to the start of Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Detroit Red Wings during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Joe Louis Arena on April 17, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 2-0. Tampa Bay leads the series 2-1. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
COLE BAGLEY
SALT LAKE CITY – After the Detroit Red Wings scored their fourth goal against the Utah Hockey Club on Monday night, a sticky, slimy, squishy, suction cuppy octopus soared over the boards at Delta Center and plopped onto the ice, introducing fans to one of the oldest traditions in the NHL.
But why?
For new fans of the NHL, this is simply another one of those historic traditions that makes the league so fantastically unique.
Beginning in 1952 when local storeowners Pete and Jerry Cusimano first hurled a raw octopus onto the rink at Olympia Stadium, this instantly became one of the most well-known traditions in the National Hockey League.
The eight arms of the octopus represented the eight wins required to win the Stanley Cup at the time.
The Red Wings then proceeded to sweep the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens which instantly cemented the airborne mollusk as a timeless tradition.
So, while it may have added insult to injury for a Detroit fan to throw one out at Delta Center during a one-sided Red Wings victory, it’s a harmless practice that dates back nearly 75 years and resonates which each fan from Motor City.
Personally, I thought it was one of the coolest things to happen at Delta Center this season despite the overall result of the game.
As a lifetime hockey fan, I thought it was surreal to see the octopus hit the ice at the Delta Center during a Red Wings game. As an Utah Hockey Club fan, I was not impressed. #conflicted pic.twitter.com/VxouI7TQMu
— Jay Stevens (@Jaysus28) March 25, 2025
How often is that type of behavior acceptable? Only in the NHL.
Inspired by the Octopus throw, the city of Nashville put their own spin on the act of throwing an underwater creature onto the ice by occasionally tossing a catfish over the boards at Predators games.
In 1998, two fans were actually ejected from a game after hiding the catfish in one of their undergarments and then tossing the southern delicacy out onto the ice.
Ironically, it became part of their tradition and has been performed by fans and celebrities alike over the years.
Beginning in 1995, the “rat-trick” became a Florida staple after former Panther Scott Mellanby killed a rat in the locker room with his stick before the team’s home opener.
Mellanby then proceeded to score two goals and his performance was deemed as a “rat-trick” rather than a hat-trick.
The following game, a fan tossed a plastic rat onto the ice after the Panthers scored and the tradition only grew from there.
Since then, the rat toss has evolved into a celebration of playoff wins rather than goals as an outpouring of rats could cause major delays depending on how many times the Panthers light the lamp.
PANTHERS WIN!!! 🏒🏒🏒 RATS ARE FLYING!!! #TimeToHunt 🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀 pic.twitter.com/f3kHIalAfp
— Gina Hausen (@hausen_gina) May 8, 2023
Is it strange? Absolutely.
But it also adds to the list of traditions that makes the NHL so unique.
Finally moving away from projectile celebrations, the Carolina Hurricanes have embraced a well-known chant over the years and made it part of their identity.
After every home win, the Hurricanes circle up at center ice for their “Storm Surge,” and lead the fans in the “Skol” chant.
Originating in 2019, the Hurricanes have also used choregraphed celebrations such as duck hunting, the limbo dance and other games that are accompanied by the “Skol” chant.
Shortly after beginning the tradition, Canadian hockey commentator Don Cherry described the team as a “bunch of jerks,” which the organization has since embraced and made part of their identity.
Wherever hockey fans travel, they’re bound to experience unique and unfamiliar traditions.
As the NHL continues to grow in Salt Lake City and the culture becomes part of the state’s DNA, these traditions should be recognized and appreciated considering that less than 18 months ago, a hockey team in Utah was simply a pipe dream.
Now that opposing clubs are regularly making their way to Delta Center every season, these traditions should be used as inspiration to help shape the lasting identity of the Utah Hockey Club.
The Utah Hockey Club will now face the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night at Amalie Arena. The game can be viewed on SEG+. Fans can also tune in on air on the KSL Sports APP or on 97.5 and 1280 The Zone. Click here for the full schedule.
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