Remember ‘AL’ The Octopus from Joe Louis Arena? He’s for Sale Again!

Joe Louis Arena closed in 2017, and was soon sold off for parts and cleared out before its eventual demolition. Before things were officially done, though, an auction was held called "Bid on the Joe," which saw items like locker room doors, photos, signs, and full lockers sold to fans of the Red Wings.

But there's one item in particular that is now BACK on the market, and soon, you could have an icon from "The Joe" wrapping its tentacles around you and something in your home as well.

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Obviously, we're talking about "Al" the Octopus, who was debuted at Joe Louis Arena in 1995, following the Red Wings history with throwing Octopus on the ice during games. Al would be lowered from the ceiling at games, waving his tentacles, and get fans psyched for the Red Wings.

Well, turns out, there was no place for Al in the Red Wings' new home of Little Caesar's Arena, so, he was sold at the "Bid on the Joe" auction in 2017.

At that time, he sold for $7,700, and the person who won the bid was never identified publicly. Well, now we know that Al found his way across the Detroit River into Windsor, Ontario, Canada, and is up for sale again, but it's gonna cost you.

A post on Forums by "GarlicbreadTB" shows a photo of the disassembled "Al" the Octopus in the back of a moving truck, with a heartbreaking explanation as to why it's up for sale again.

The user writes:

"This is a piece of hockey history, the Red Wings Dynasty... This breaks my heart to sell, but I know it could be put to good use somewhere at a sports bar or someone's storage garage for cars or other things in Michigan or whoever is a big Detroit Red Wings Fan.

Every piece (of Al) is signed by Al Sobotka, the Zamboni driver for years at The Joe (Also the namesake for Al).

I planned on keeping it forever, but I had cancer years ago and permanently beat it, but some bills caught up with me and I want to be debt free in my new life. This would help."

The asking price.... $30,000. Obviously we're seven years past when Al was last sold, and his value has only gone up since he's been stored and maintained well. It's a steep price, but by buying this piece of history, you're keeping the tradition alive, and helping a person pay their bills.

It's win/win... also, who wouldn't want a giant purple octopus in their home, right?