The Red Wings’ plane was leaving San Jose for Detroit, where the team would meet Anaheim for the start of the N.H.L.’s Western Conference finals.

The Red Wings had eliminated the Sharks, and though Ducks were next on their playoff menu, many of the players were looking forward to chicken, ribs, burgers and sausage.

Mike Brinich, the team’s media relations manager, said center Kris Draper told him: “Better call Al. Tell him to fire up the grill.”

Brinich phoned Al Sobotka, the longtime building operations manager at Joe Louis Arena. Sobotka’s performances have made him as much of a celebrity there as Gordie Howe, Steve Yzerman and Octopus Al, the team mascot named for Sobotka.