There are no second chances in hockey, at least for Al Sobotka.
Sobotka, the longtime Detroit Red Wings Zamboni driver who was fired for peeing in a drain and later filed an age and disability lawsuit, claims that higher-ups at Red Wings parent company Olympia Entertainment engaged in a cover-up scheme by having an executive who knew nothing about him fire him, according to the Detroit Free Press.
Weeks before the peeing incident, Sobotka, 70, said vice president Tim Padgett approached him in a Zoom conference and told him, “You’re getting old.”
Despite Olympia’s claim that Padgett had nothing to do with the firing, the vice president stated in his deposition that he advised president Keith Bradford, who made the decision to terminate Sobotka, on the case.
According to a court document dated November 15, Bradford had never seen Sobotka, had no idea how long he had been with the Red Wings, and had never discussed the urinating event with him or the witness who witnessed him.
The senior vice president of human resources further stated that Sobotka’s prostate ailment “was not taken into consideration at any time” and was viewed as a “excuse.”
Sobotka even sent a final desperate message to Red Wings president and CEO Christopher Illitch, which went unanswered.
“Chris, I’m sure you heard that I was terminated,” Sobotka wrote. After 50 seasons of hard work, endless hours, holidays, and missed time with family… I hope you had the heart to take another opportunity.”
“I’d love to strike out on my own and retire. I respect you and your family. I beg you; this is killing me.”
Illitch did not reply to the smashed Sobotka.
Sobotka, who was found by a coworker urinating in a drain between two Zambonis on February 2, 2022, claims he has benign prostatic hyperplasia, which makes urination difficult to control.
