DETROIT – Al Sobotka, the longtime zamboni driver for the Detroit Red Wings known for firing up the crowd and loved by fans for by twirling octopi over his head, has been terminated.
Sobotka, 68, had worked for the Wings for 51 years, dating back to the teams’ days at the Olympia.
The team parted ways with him on Wednesday, according to a report from the Detroit News. Neither the Red Wings nor Sobotka have spoken about the news.
A report from MLive says Sobotka has hired an attorney and may sue the team for wrongful termination. The reason for his termination remains unclear.
Over the course of five decades, Sobotka help Joe Louis Arena and Little Caesars Arena come to life, particularly during the Wings’ glory days of Stanley Cup Playoff runs deep into the spring.
It’s been a tradition for years for Red Wings fans to hurl octopi onto the ice – especially come playoff time. And anytime an octopus hit the ice at the Joe, Sobotka was there to clean things up.
The crowd often roared to life when he raised it above his head and gave it a twirl.
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