Al the Octopus

Al the Octopus is the mascot of the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League.

During many games, octopuses are thrown onto the ice by fans for good luck, this usually occurring after the national anthem is sung or after a goal is scored.

[1] As the years went on some modifications were made to Al, such as making it so his pupils light up red (blinking on and off), the adding of a large Red Wing Jersey to his body, and the removal of a tooth in order to give Al that "hockey player" look.

The promotion featured cases of Coke in which some cans were, in fact, containers holding the stuffed Al. Later, Michigan stores would carry the doll, and it would be sold via a mail-in.

Detroit remains one of very few hockey, and indeed American sports, teams without a suited mascot to rally fans.