Al Sobotka, who maintained the ice, drove the Zamboni, twirled octopi over his head and was a master of the barbeques for the Detroit Red Wings, is no longer with the organization.
A source confirmed to the Free Press Wednesday that Sobotka and the Wings have parted ways. A team spokesman declined to comment. Sobotka could not immediately be reached for comment.
Sobotka had been a Wings employee since 1971, 11 years before Bruce Norris sold the team to Mike and Marian Ilitch. Sobotka attended Detroit Northwestern and graduated from Denby High. After high school, neighborhood friends helped him get hired at Olympia Stadium, where he worked on the cleanup crew.