Slow News Day

How They’re Made:
Hockey Skates

2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

NHL Bans Octopus Twirling

Terriffic AP Photo, April 2007

In an effort to keep a proper image of the NHL, the league has
placed a preemptive ban on the twirling of the octopus in the
Stanley Cup, and threatens Al (and anyone in Detroit) $10,000
fine if they do.

Tossing the octopus onto the ice dates back to Detroit’s 1952
Stanley Cup run, when the Cusimano brothers, owners of a local
fish market, tossed the first eight-legged pod onto the rink.
At that time, the cup required 8 victories to win, so the symbolism
seemed obvious…

The real tradition started in 1991, when Joe Louis Operations
Manager and Zamboni driver Al Sabotka got into the act, picking
up the the freezing blob on the ice and twirling it over his head as
he made his way off, whipping the crowd into a frenzy and hailing
globs of half-frozen octopus goo in every direction.

The act has been copied in other places, and in the NFL, but the
home of the twirling octopus is, and should be, Joe Louis Arena,
Stanley Cup or not.

Twirl on, Al. We’ll take up a collection.

NHL Stanley Cup Finals 2008

Fifty Bucks and a Dream

British Lord Stanley, Earl of Preston, and Governor of Canada had
an idea he pitched at a dinner of the Ottawa Amateur Athletic
Association in 1892. His pitch man was Lord Kilsoursie, a player
on the Ottawa Rebels Hockey Club.

“I have for some time been thinking that it would be a good thing
if there were a challenge cup which should be held from year to
year by the champion hockey team in the Dominion (of Canada).

“There does not appear to be any such outward sign of a
championship at present, and considering the general interest
which matches now elicit, and the importance of having the game
played fairly and under rules generally recognized, I am willing
to give a cup which shall be held from year to year by the
winning team.”

He bought the trophy for 10 guineas (about $50), and the rest is history.

Returning to England before the end of the 1893 season, Stanley
never actually attended a Stanley Cup game.

sources: HHOF, NHL.COM

National Hockey League

Why are the Montreal Canadians called the “Habs”?

Habs is an abbreviation for “Les Habitants”, the name given
to settlers of New-France, the region in North America colonized
by the French in the 1600’s. At it’s peak, the region extended
from Northern Canada all the way to Louisiana. Founded in 1907,
the Montreal Canadiens were originally marketed as a
French-Canadian hockey team.

What does CH stand for on their LOGO?

The “CH” logo stands for “Club de Hockey Canadien”.

Slow News Day

How Its Made:
Hockey Gloves

Slow News Day

How They’re Made:
Hockey Sticks

Use of Helmets

Until the late 1970’s/early 1980’s, it was uncommon for players to
wear helmets.

The first player credited for wearing a helmet was Boston Bruins’
defenseman George Owen in 1928. Owen, a college football player
at Harvard, wore his leather football helmet when he joined the NHL.

The first all-star game (1933-34) was organized as a benefit for
Toronto Maple Leafs “Ace” Bailey, whose hockey career ended due
to head injury. He was not wearing a helmet.

In 1968, North Stars center Bill Masterson hit his head on the ice
during a game and died two days later. He is honored with the
Masterson Memorial Trophy. He was not wearing a helmet.

In the 1979-80 season, the NHL made it mandatory for players joining
the league after that point to wear a helmet.

Craig Mactavish retired in the 1996-97 season, the last NHL player to
play in the NHL without a helmet.

Source: Canadian Hockey Hall of Fame