Al Sobotka

Last updated

Al Sobotka an American former building operations manager who worked for Olympia Entertainment. His responsibilities included day-to-day operations at Little Caesars Arena. Sobotka was fired on March 30, 2022. [1] He was also involved in the operations of Cobo Arena until Olympia Entertainment relinquished management in 2011 and Joe Louis Arena until it closed for good in 2017. Sobotka is known mostly for driving the Zamboni during Detroit Red Wings games for the past 30 years and for collecting the octopuses thrown on the ice during Red Wings playoff games. [2] The official mascot of the Red Wings is named after Sobotka. Sobotka came in second with 97,261 votes in Zamboni News' 1999 Zamboni "Driver of the Year" Award. [3]

Contents

Career

Zamboni driver

Sobotka had been driving the Zamboni between periods at Joe Louis Arena for over 30 years until the arena's closure in the spring 2017 and currently drives the Zamboni between periods at the new Little Caesars Arena, beginning in the fall 2017. He is known for taking pride in his work, and he ensures that the arena's ice surface is of the highest quality. He said: "You know I'm particular, so if I see anything that's wrong -- a little chip of snow or something, you know, all that stuff matters a lot, 'cause a little snow can freeze and a guy hits it, never know what can happen, you know?" Brendan Shanahan said of Sobotka: "Al's very good and he takes it personally. I mean we see him a lot. Everybody knows Al. We're able to go out and make comments to him. He'll know when there's a tough night, you know, in the playoffs, or if it's a humid day and he'll respond accordingly. He'll ask the players after the game, 'What'd you think of the ice?'"

Detroit fans often arrive before game time to watch Sobotka prepare the ice for a game. Also, kids can compete to drive around with Sobotka between periods. They learn that driving a Zamboni is no simple task, and that ice preparation is both science and an art that can take years to perfect. [4]

Sobotka started driving the Zamboni early in life, and when asked about his "dream job", he said: "It was just a job I got when I was in high school, and I kept at it, working in the maintenance department for a few years, [and] I still enjoy getting up in the morning. If you don't enjoy your work, it's hard getting up in the morning, you know?" [5]

Dealing with octopi

Sobotka is also famous for being the employee responsible for handling any octopuses thrown on the ice during a game. Sobotka will grab the octopus with his bare hands and swing it around his head. He typically receives an appreciative cheer from the crowd for this response.

In the April 2006 edition of Sports Illustrated , Michael Farber wrote:

The first face-offs [of the Stanley Cup tournament] were in Ottawa and Detroit at 7:12 p.m., although the unofficial commencement occurred two minutes earlier when an octopus landed on the ice with a splat during 'The Star-Spangled Banner' at the Wings' Joe Louis Arena. Nothing screams 'playoffs' like a cephalopod. (The Red Wings' tradition began in 1952 when two fishmongers realized that the number of tentacles on an octopus matched the number of wins then necessary to win the Stanley Cup.) Octopus-tossing is officially proscribed, but arena superintendent Al Sobotka tacitly encourages it by twirling octopuses over his head as he chugs off the ice after cleaning them up. In this year's playoff innovation, some Oilers fans threw hunks of prime Alberta beef onto the ice in response.

Sobotka said in 1996 that an unofficial record of 54 octopuses were thrown during one game of the 1995 Stanley Cup Finals series between Detroit Red Wings and New Jersey Devils. He also stated that Detroit fans throw an average of 25 octopuses per playoff game. [6] For his tireless efforts, the Red Wings named their octopus mascot "Al" after Sobotka.

According to NHL rules, if any fan throws an object on the ice in celebration, the supported team could be issued a delay of game penalty. However, the NHL tends to look the other way when Sobotka does his stuff. Frank Brown, the league's vice president for media relations, said in response: "Every so often, an octopus slips out of someone's hands, and Al is right there to take care of the matter. And he cannot be blamed if, as it tries to break free from Al's grasp, the octopus lifts Al's arm and twirls itself in the air." [7]

In the 2008 playoffs, the NHL issued a warning that while they were fine with octopuses being thrown on the ice, the Red Wings would be fined $10,000 if Sobotka twirled the octopus in the air, as bits of the octopus were getting in the ice and on the opposing goaltender. [8] However, it was announced on May 7, 2008, that the NHL would allow Sobotka to twirl the octopuses, provided that he does so only at the Zamboni gate and not on the ice surface. [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Detroit Red Wings</span> National Hockey League team in Michigan, United States

The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference, and are one of the Original Six teams of the league. Founded in 1926, the team was known as the Detroit Cougars until 1930. For the next two seasons, the team was named the Detroit Falcons, before changing their name to the Red Wings in 1932.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Yzerman</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1965)

Stephen Gregory Yzerman is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player currently serving as executive vice president and general manager of the Detroit Red Wings, with whom he spent all 22 seasons of his NHL playing career. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, he is a Detroit sports icon and a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. After his retirement as a player, he served in the front office of the Red Wings, and then as general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning, while also being executive director for Team Canada in two Olympics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pavel Datsyuk</span> Russian ice hockey player (born 1978)

Pavel Valerievich Datsyuk is a Russian former professional ice hockey player. Datsyuk was nicknamed the "Magic Man" honoring his incredible stickhandling and creativity with the puck. From 2001 to 2016, he played for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL). In 2017, Datsyuk was named one of the "100 Greatest NHL Players" in history, and was the only active player outside of the NHL at the time of announcement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sergei Fedorov</span> Russian ice hockey player (born 1969)

Sergei Viktorovich Fyodorov is a Russian former professional ice hockey player and the current head coach of CSKA Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). During his playing career, for which he is best known for his 13 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, Fedorov was primarily a centre, but occasionally played as a winger or defenceman.

Vladimir Nikolaevich Konstantinov is a Russian-American former professional ice hockey player who played his entire National Hockey League (NHL) career, from 1991 to 1997 with the Detroit Red Wings. Previously, he had played for Soviet club CSKA Moscow. His career was ended in a limousine crash six days after the Red Wings' 1997 Stanley Cup victory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Detroit Junior Red Wings</span> Ice hockey team in Detroit, Michigan

The Detroit Junior Red Wings were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League for three seasons from 1992 to 1995. The Jr. Red Wings were based in Detroit, Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henrik Zetterberg</span> Swedish ice hockey player (born 1980)

Henrik Zetterberg is a Swedish former professional ice hockey forward. He played his entire National Hockey League career, from 2002 to 2018, with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL), for whom he would serve as captain for his final six seasons.

The 2007–08 NHL season was the 91st season of operation of the National Hockey League (NHL). It began on September 29, 2007, and the regular season ended April 6, 2008. The Stanley Cup playoffs ended on June 4, with the Detroit Red Wings taking the championship. The 56th NHL All-Star Game was held in Atlanta, Georgia, as the Atlanta Thrashers hosted the event at Philips Arena on January 27, 2008. The hosting by Atlanta was rescheduled from 2005, when a lockout cancelled the entire 2004–05 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kris Draper</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1971)

Kristopher Bruce "Kris" Draper is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and current director of amateur scouting and assistant general manager for the Detroit Red Wings, the team which he played 17 seasons for during his 20-year National Hockey League (NHL) playing career.

The Russian Five was the nickname given to the unit of five Russian ice hockey players from the Soviet Union that played for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League in the 1990s. The five players were Sergei Fedorov, Vladimir Konstantinov, Slava Kozlov, Slava Fetisov, and Igor Larionov. Three of the players were drafted by the Red Wings in 1989 and 1990, and their defections from the Soviet Union were aided by the Wings. The last two were acquired via trades from the New Jersey Devils and San Jose Sharks. Red Wings coach Scotty Bowman played the five together as a unit at times from October 1995 to June 1997, but also mixed and matched them with other teammates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Detroit Compuware Ambassadors</span> Ice hockey team in Detroit, Michigan

The Detroit Compuware Ambassadors were an elite Midget Major ice hockey team playing in the Tier I Elite Hockey League. The Ambassadors previously had separate franchises that competed in the North American Hockey League and in the Ontario Hockey League for two seasons from 1990 to 1992. The Compuware Ambassadors were based in Detroit, Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Detroit Whalers</span> Michigan junior hockey team

The Detroit Whalers were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League for two seasons from 1995 to 1997. The Whalers were based in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Al the Octopus</span> Detroit Red Wings mascot

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Legend of the Octopus</span> Ice hockey tradition in Detroit

The Legend of the Octopus is a sports tradition during Detroit Red Wings home playoff games involving dead octopuses thrown onto the ice rink. The origins of the activity go back to the 1952 playoffs, when a National Hockey League team played two best-of-seven series to capture the Stanley Cup. Having eight arms, the octopus symbolized the number of playoff wins necessary for the Red Wings to win the Stanley Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Abdelkader</span> American ice hockey player (born 1987)

Justin Abdelkader is an American professional ice hockey left winger for EV Zug of the Swiss National League (NL). He was drafted 42nd overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. He previously played for HC Lugano of the NL.

The history of the Detroit Red Wings begins in 1926, when the franchise began play in the National Hockey League (NHL). The professional ice hockey club was founded as the Detroit Cougars on September 25, 1926, one of three teams to join the NHL in 1926. With the demise of the Western Canada Hockey League (WCHL), the rights to the players of the Victoria Cougars were purchased by a Detroit group led by Charles A. Hughes who kept the name "Cougars" for their NHL club. The new team struggled financially; in 1930, the Cougars changed their name to the Detroit Falcons, and after being bought out of receivership by James E. Norris were renamed as the Detroit Red Wings in 1932. The team played their first game on November 18, 1926, and won their first two Stanley Cup titles in 1936 and 1937. The Red Wings have won the Cup eleven times, more than any other American team in NHL history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maple Leafs–Red Wings rivalry</span> National Hockey League rivalry

The Maple Leafs–Red Wings rivalry is a National Hockey League (NHL) rivalry between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Detroit Red Wings. The rivalry is largely bolstered because of the proximity between the two teams, with Toronto and Detroit approximately 370 kilometres (230 mi) apart, connected by Ontario Highway 401, and a number of shared fans in between the two cities. The teams both compete in the Atlantic Division and with current NHL scheduling, they meet three or four times per season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam Erne</span> American ice hockey player (born 1995)

Adam Dennis Erne is an American professional ice hockey winger who is currently playing for the Bakersfield Condors in the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted in the second round, 33rd overall, by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avalanche–Red Wings rivalry</span> National Hockey League rivalry

The Avalanche–Red Wings rivalry is a historic rivalry in the National Hockey League (NHL) between the Colorado Avalanche and Detroit Red Wings. The rivalry gained notoriety during the mid-1990s and early 2000s, with the peak of the rivalry occurring from 1996 to 2002 during which stretch the two teams met in the postseason five times and combined to win five Stanley Cups, with the Red Wings winning three Stanley Cups and the Avalanche winning two during that stretch. The epicenter of the rivalry was during a March 26, 1997 game at Joe Louis Arena that featured 18 fighting majors, and 148 penalty minutes.

References

  1. ↑ "Detroit Red Wings' octopus-twirling Zamboni driver Al Sobotka says he was fired for urinating in drain, files discrimination lawsuit". ESPN. Associated Press. April 21, 2022. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  2. ↑ Hochberg, Len (June 2, 1995). "Red Wings Fly Past Blackhawks in OT; Detroit Wins Game 1 Of Western Finals". The Washington Post . Archived from the original on October 8, 2016. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Zamboni "Driver of the Year" Award - 1999". Zamboni News. 1999. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved April 3, 2007– via Wayback Machine.
  4. ↑ "The Great Zamboni". CBC News. Archived from the original on February 22, 2002. Retrieved April 2, 2007– via Wayback Machine.
  5. ↑ Furan, Amy (2006). "Dream Jobs: Zamboni Driver". Archived from the original on July 5, 2006. Retrieved April 3, 2007– via Wayback Machine.
  6. ↑ "Octopus". A to Z Encyclopedia of Ice Hockey. Archived from the original on April 6, 2007. Retrieved April 2, 2007– via Wayback Machine.
  7. ↑ Mallozzi, Vincent M. (May 20, 2007). "Wrapping His Arms Around the Red Wings". The New York Times . Retrieved September 7, 2007.
  8. ↑ "Hooeytown - it will be Avalanche in six". Rocky Mountain News. April 24, 2008. Archived from the original on October 8, 2016. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  9. ↑ Householder, Mike (May 26, 2008). "Pucks, octopi rain down at Joe Louis Arena". Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 8, 2016. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.