Fansided

Which NHL mascot would you want with you in a bar fight?

By Dane Quinn

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 28: Carolina Hurricanes' mascot Stormy avoids the stick-check by Arizona Coyotes' mascot Howler the Coyote during the mascot game prior to the NHL All-Star Game on January 28, 2018, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 28: Carolina Hurricanes' mascot Stormy avoids the stick-check by Arizona Coyotes' mascot Howler the Coyote during the mascot game prior to the NHL All-Star Game on January 28, 2018, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – MAY 27: Al the octopus is lowered to the ice prior to Game Six of the Western Conference Semifinals between the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings during the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Joe Louis Arena on May 27, 2013 in Detroit, Michigan. Chicago won the game 4-3 to tie the series 3-3. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – MAY 27: Al the octopus is lowered to the ice prior to Game Six of the Western Conference Semifinals between the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings during the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Joe Louis Arena on May 27, 2013 in Detroit, Michigan. Chicago won the game 4-3 to tie the series 3-3. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

1. Al the Octopus (Detroit Red Wings)

We have finally reached the No. 1 NHL mascot you should call if you need backup during a bar fight. If you don’t begin with the area code (313) when you call on your phone for backup, you are simply wasting your time.

The idea of Al the Octopus began in the 1952 season when the people of Detroit threw dead octopuses on to the ice. The tradition was started by the Cusimano brothers. The brothers owned a local fish market. At the time, they realized it took eight wins to claim the Stanley Cup. Pete and Jerry were schooled in eight tentacle creatures. Once the dead octopus landed on the ice, the city of Detroit would never be the same.

Although Al the Octopus wasn’t officially introduced until 70 years into the Red Wings’ history, he has been a mainstay in the Motor City. Al is raised to the rafters after every home playoff win. The gigantic purple octopus is always waiting to drop down and cause havoc.

Al the Octopus is an invertebrate, so he doesn’t have any bones. If you cross paths with Al, you will be the only one with broken bones. Smithsonian Magazine indicates that an octopus has three hearts. So, in a fight, there is no way that Al will concede. You can’t hit what you can’t see. Al will spray ink and completely blind you. The most impressive attack Al can use is neutralizing eight men with his tentacles. Don’t get caught because you will be begging for your life once you are in Al’s strong grasp.

If you call Al for his services, it may cost you. When the Joe Louis Arena closed its doors, Al the Octopus was auctioned off. The Detroit Free Press reported that Al the Octopus was sold for $7,700. Al doesn’t work for free. You may have to dip into your 401K, but it will be worth it.

Next: 30 best NHL jerseys of all-time

Agree? Disagree? Fan of a team without a mascot and feeling left out? Start a discussion and follow Dane Quinn on Twitter: @danequinn.

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