Most sports mascots are designed by marketing departments or consultants, and exist only to distract children and extract more money from adults. But a few mascots have authentic roots, and the Detroit Red Wings' octopus is one of them.

We continue our look at the mysteries of the hockey world by explaining the origins of the Detroit octopus. Why do fans celebrate every playoff run by heaving slimy sea creatures on the ice?

(Photo: Robert Laberge/Getty Images)