More Sobotka, octopi support

Al Sobotka, Joe Louis Arena building manger, received more support from writers, bloggers and fans who think the Sobotka ban is outrageously ridiculous.

The Detroit Free Press ran a photo essay of Al Sobotka. Photos and captions below are courtesy of the Detroit Free Press and show Sobotka with octopi.


Joe Louis Arena building manager Al Sobotka twirls an octopus that was thrown on this ice during the singing of the national anthem before the Red Wings-Blackhawks game in Detroit on April 7. The Wings went on to a 7-2 victory.


Joe Louis Arena building manager Al Sobotka was busy picking up hats after the third Henrik Zetterberg goal in the third period of the Blue Jackets game on March 19, 2008.


Joe Louis Arena building manager Al Sobotka swings the second of two octopi that were thrown onto the ice during the Red Wings win over the Blackhawks on Jan. 20, 1995 in Detroit.


Al the octopus and his namesake, Al Sobotka, at Joe Louis Arena before the start of Game 2 of the 1998 Stanley Cup Finals between the Wings and Capitals.


Al Sobotka picks up and swings a octopus that was thrown on the ice of Joe Louis Arena in the third period of the Wings-Blues playoff game on May 3, 2002.


Red Wings Zamboni driver Al Sobotka picks up a octopus and swings it in the air prior to the start of first period between the Red Wings and the Blues in Game 5 of the second round of the NHL playoffs on May 12, 2002 at Joe Louis Arena.

Greg Wyshynski with Yahoo! sports wrote an article with two pro-octopi twirling videos on YouTube.com and another petition to sign for those who disagree with the ban.

Even Mitch Albom is back writing hockey articles again, at least for the playoffs. Imagine that. In yesterday's column he calls the new octopus rule "dumb."

Never mind that, for years, Al has gone onto the ice after an octopus is thrown during the national anthem or after a goal. And for years, he has had to pick the octopus up. And for years, he has walked off the ice, octopus in hand, and before disappearing, he has swung the thing over his head as fans cheered. Hey, it’s a greasy job.

He later compares the NHL to the No Fun League, the NFL. As I read some place else the NHL is now the No Humour League.

Today Red Wings TV posted videos of Sobotka swinging an octopus in front of the Fox Theater and Belle Tire
I'm sure the Wings will show them during the game tonight.