Before there was Al the Octopus, there was The Red Winger.
In this edition of "Detroit Red Wings revisited," a series designed to distract while the hockey world is shut down because of COVID-19, we look back at an old mascot.
Shortly after purchasing the franchise in 1982, Mike Ilitch green-lighted a mascot as part of his plan to get fans interested in the team again. The Red Winger debuted on the night of the season opener, Oct. 6, 1982.
That night also marked the start of a promotion that showed just how badly the Wings needed to bring fans to Joe Louis Arena: Nancy Gerbasi won a drawing of ticket stubs between the second and third periods and the prize was a bright red 1982 Pontiac Firebird.