Joe Louis Arena (photo by Aaron Zimmer)Joe Louis Arena (photo by Aaron Zimmer)
Windsor

Own A Piece Of Hockey History

A bit of Hockeytown's recent colourful history can be yours for the bidding.

The Detroit Red Wings have hired a Missouri company to oversee an auction of artifacts from Joe Louis Arena, the team's former home. All this week, hockey fans and collectors have been bidding for memorabilia left behind when the Wings moved out this spring.

The Wings played at Joe Louis Arena from 1979 until last hockey season, when they moved to Little Caesars Arena. While at "The Joe", they enjoyed a 25-year playoff streak, six President's Trophies for the league's best regular-season record, six trips to the Stanley Cup Finals and four Stanley Cup titles.

The arena has also been home to college hockey, junior hockey, basketball, countless rock concerts and conventions.

The auction is being conducted on behalf of the team and Olympia Entertainment by Schneider Industries, which specializes in clean-out auctions and demolitions.

Over 900 items are up for bids. The largest is the giant "Al the Octopus" that hung from the arena rafters and was lowered to the ice during pre-game introductions. As of Thursday afternoon, the high bid for the Wings' giant mascot was $7,300 US.

Also among the items being offered:

  • Old locker-room spaces still labeled with the names of players such as Chris Chelios, Kris Draper, Dan Cleary and others.
  • The "Greatness is a Choice" sign that hung in the Wings' locker roon
  • Portions of the former "JoeVision" Jumbotron scoreboard
  • Advertising signage
  • Signage directing fans to seat sections
  • Signage outside the arena directing fans to the People Mover and parking garage
  • Photographs of players and coaches that had been displayed in the clubhouses and Olympia Room
  • International flags that hung in the former Gordie Howe Entrance
  • Red strobe lights that signified goals
  • Concession signage and fixtures
The team is not selling the arena's seats in this auction. The Red Wings say the seats will be offered for sale at a later date.

Hockey fans and collectors can still participate in the auction by clicking here. Bidders must register and provide a credit card number before being allowed to place a bid. If your bid is the highest, your credit card will be charged and you can make arrangements to pick up your item.

The auction ends Saturday at 10am.

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