The Red Wings Lucky Octopus (AP Photo)

With the Red Wings back in the Stanley Cup Finals, I thought it was worth refreshing your memory on one of the great traditions in sports:  throwing the octopus on the ice before a game in Detroit.

Basically, it dates back to the 50’s when a team needed only 8 wins to hoist the Cup.  An octopus has eight tentacles. 

The Red Wings have a complete explanation of the tradition on their website.

This year, the Superior Fish Company enlarged the tradition.  They had a giant octopus flown in from Seattle.  It weighs 45 pounds and measures 65 inches spread out.  Fans have been flocking there to have their picture taken.