JOE LOUIS ARENA

We had about 7,500 votes in this challenge, and a few really close matchups.

Which Detroit-area sports venue is the most iconic of all?

Longtime Zamboni driver Al Sobotka was fired by the Detroit Red Wings because he urinated into an ice pit while working, according to a wrongful termination lawsuit.

Longtime Zamboni driver Al Sobotka is suing the Detroit Red Wings, claiming he was wrongly fired because a medical condition forced him to urinate in an ice pit while working.

Which Detroit-area sports venue is the most iconic of all?

Which Detroit-area sports venue is the most iconic of all?

Which Detroit-area sports venue is the most iconic of all?

Longtime Detroit Red Wings zamboni driver Al Sobotka has been fired.

Morning 4 is a quick roundup of stories we think you should know about to start your day. So, let’s get to the news.

Here’s what our readers were interested in this week

For hockey fans, March 26, 1997 is a date that will live in infamy. That's the day Red Wings player Darren McCarty got his revenge...

Former Detroit Red Wings goalie Dominik Hasek took to Twitter over the weekend, calling for the NHL to suspend contracts of all Russian players after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The West Riverfront Park in Detroit is going to start taking shape over the next few years.

Detroit increased its playoff streak to 22 seasons, the longest active streak at the time.

May 31, 2002 is one of the most legendary moments in Detroit Red Wings history.

The "Brawl in Hockeytown" will never, ever, ever get old.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JUNE 14: Niklas Lidstrom #5 of the Detroit Red Wings celebrates a Stanley Cup victory with his son and the Conn Smythe Trophy on June 14, 2002 at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by B Bennett/Getty Images)Adam Lidstrom is clearly Nicklas Lidstrom’s son -- there is no doubt about it. Adam, now 25 years old, posted a new photo to Instagram this week -- wow:Uncanny! Adam is playing hockey with Enköpings SK in Sweden. He has 13 points in 28 games this season.

1997 Season: Red Wing captain Steve Yzerman leads teammates around the ice with the Stanley Cup. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images)I am looking for stories about the Detroit Red Wings. But all Red Wings fans, young and old, have special memories from Olympia Stadium, Joe Louis Arena, LCA to share. Let’s hear about it:I’ll feature these stories in the Dear Red Wings newsletter, so be sure to share story and check that box to sign up! Related: Memorable Red Wings moments at Joe Louis Arena

click to enlarge Sterling Munksgard / Shutterstock.comGarth Brooks, destroyer of worlds. A few years ago, the potent combination of a Garth Brooks concert at the former Joe Louis Arena and Monster Jam monster truck rally at Ford Ford created a perfect storm an hours-long traffic jam in Detroit dubbed "Garthlock 2015" by this paper.For those who still have PTSD from the cosmic event, we warn you: Brooks is back, and he's looking for more blood.The county megastar is set to perform at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22 at Ford Field. Tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. at ticketmaster.com/garthbrooks and the Garth Brooks Ticket Line 877-654-2784.Brooks is the No. 1-selling solo artist in U.S. history with more than 148 million records sold, although you can follow the white rabbit and learn way more than you ever cared to know about dubious RIAA trickery that could account for inflated numbers.Garth

DETROIT - Joe Louis Arena is almost gone, leaving fans with nothing but memories. Now that the honeymoon is over on demolition, we're learning who will redevelop these hallowed 5 acres along the riverfront. According to the mayor's office, local developer Sterling Group is buying the property for about $14 million. Crains, which first reported the deal with Sterling Group, says the initial indications to build "a high-density mixed-use development." It sold to Sterling and Sterling enters into a redevelopment deal with the city.

DETROIT - Here's our top story on Local 4 News at 11:Joe Louis ArenaJoe Louis Arena is almost gone, leaving fans with nothing but memories. Now that the honeymoon is over on demolition, we're learning who will redevelop these hallowed 5 acres along the riverfront. Watch the full report on Local 4 News at 4Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

As the demolition of Joe Louis Arena nears completion, plans for whats next at the site are starting to form. Crains Detroit Business reports that the Detroit-based real estate company Sterling Group is nearing a deal to redevelop the site. New York City-based Financial Guaranty Insurance Co. currently has the development rights, which it negotiated as a creditor to the city during its municipal bankruptcy. Sterling Group was founded by TCF Bank executive chairman Gary Torgow and is now run by his children. Its currently working on or involved in a number of projects in Detroit, including a new TCF Bank (formerly, Chemical Bank) headquarters downtown.

DETROIT - Crews have been working to tear down Joe Louis Arena all summer at the site along the Detroit River. Back in June they were taking apart exterior panels of the Detroit Red Wings' former home. PHOTOS: A look inside Joe Louis Arena during demolitionThe arena opened in 1979. The Red Wings, of course, now have a new home at Little Caesars Arena at Woodward Avenue and I-75. The helicopter video above shows the Joe demolition on Sept. 10, 2019.

DETROIT - A woman was pulled from the Detroit River on Wednesday night. She was rescued by a security guard from the Riverfront Towers Apartments who saw her fall into the water. The woman was sitting along the river's edge with her boyfriend when she fell in. The security guard is Robert (No last name provided), 21, and he is in the Army Reserves. Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

A mystery message was uncovered during demolition at Joe Louis Arena that has us asking: Who is Ed? A producer here at Local 4 took the photo at the Joe, as it continues to be torn down. A message reading: Ed Was Here 5-10-90 was uncovered behind a wall. We decided to have a little fun with it! Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

From arenas to apartment buildings, heres everything you need to know about recent demolition news in Detroit. Demolition began on the former home of the Detroit Red Wings in early June and will continue through summer. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/7HpfWsJifm City of Detroit (@CityofDetroit) June 13, 2019Later in the month, the Detroit Pistons announced that the Palace of Auburn Hills will also be demolished. When a team leaves for a more modern stadium or different city, the derelict arenas almost always sit idle and eventually face demolition. Demolition began for the troubled building in mid-June.

From arenas to apartment buildings, heres everything you need to know about recent demolition news in Detroit. Demolition began on the former home of the Detroit Red Wings in early June and will continue through summer. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/7HpfWsJifm City of Detroit (@CityofDetroit) June 13, 2019Later in the month, the Detroit Pistons announced that the Palace of Auburn Hills will also be demolished. When a team leaves for a more modern stadium or different city, the derelict arenas almost always sit idle and eventually face demolition. Demolition began for the troubled building in mid-June.

DETROIT Joe Louis Arena is closer and closer to being no more. Crews have recently started removing exterior panels of the Detroit Red Wings' former home, and demolition inside the building started a month ago. PHOTOS: A look inside Joe Louis Arena during demolitionThe arena opened in 1979. Removing the exterior panels will take several months. Once that is finished, the roof, steel columns and lower portion of the building will be the only remaining parts.

DETROIT The first thing you notice when you walk into whats left of Joe Louis Arena is how small it all looks. The Olympia Room is gone, the locker rooms are no more and what was the ice looks like the bottom of a murky cave. All the rubble is whats left of the stairs you used to climb and the tiers where the seats were. Thats when the public is really going to see The Joe coming down, Rice said. Conservatively, you can expect to see nothing left at the site by the end of fall.

DETROIT Joe Louis Arena is being torn down from the inside out. Detroit Red Wings photographer Dave Reginek posted photos from inside the vacant building on Instagram this week, giving everyone a look at how the iconic structure is being demolished. The post included:"I got to spend a few hours inside the the old Joe Louis Arena. The arena definitely holds a special place in the hearts of Detroit sports fans and hockey fans around the world. But beyond hockey, Joe Louis Arena was the venue for countless legendary concerts and events.

I was perusing the WDIV vault recently looking for footage from the Detroit Red Wings' 1979-80 season -- the first one at Joe Louis Arena -- when I stumbled upon this gem about automaker John DeLorean.

This Detroit Red Wings woodmark logo has been used by the organization since 1948. The team was renamed the Detroit Falcons in 1930 and finally the Detroit Red Wings in 1932. The Red Wings played all homes games at Olympia until 1979 when Joe Louis Arena opened. AdA new era in Red Wings history is about to begin. Remember to download the "Hockey in the D" app for the latest Red Wings news and alerts.

Transportation - The Detroit People MoverThe Detroit People Mover (DPM) will operate from 6:30 a.m. – midnight. Parking violators will be ticketed, and in some instances, vehicles may be towed. Motorists will be ticketed for:Improper parking (vehicles within 20 feet from crosswalk; within 15 feet from an intersection, within 30 feet of a stop sign or traffic control device; and within 15 feet of a fire hydrant)Parking in designated zones, such as handicap zones (without proper credentials), fire lane, no parking zones or no standing zones. The Municipal Parking Department also will not enforce parking meters after 6 p.m. on June 23. Vehicles towed on Belle Isle will remain on the island.