In 1942, Guidolin made his NHL debut with the Bruins at a mere 16 years of age. His rapid advancement to the NHL level can largely be attributed to many Bruins players leaving to serve overseas in World War II. Earlier that year, Guidolin was part of the Memorial Cup runner-up, the Oshawa Generals.Due to Guidolin being under the age of 18, he was able to fill a spot on the Bruins without serving in the war. It would be fair to say that Bep Guidolin was the epitome of a Boston Bruins ‘youth movement’. Guidolin apparently wasn’t overwhelmed by the transition, recording 22 points in 42 games and being 9th on the team in goals.
The concept of a 16-year-old player playing in today’s NHL is impossible, as the league increased the minimum age for players to 18 in 1965. However, that doesn’t take away from the incredible accomplishment of playing the world’s best players at only 16 years old. Guidolin was a member of the Bruins ‘Sprout Line’ in the 1940s. A paradox of the famous ‘Kraut Line‘, it consisted of Guidolin, Don Gallinger, the second youngest player in history, and Bill Shill. Gallinger’s story is interesting in itself, as he ended up being banned for life from the NHL for gambling.
Guidolin played three more years for the Bruins, consistently producing as a reliable secondary scorer. After he moved on to play for the Red Wings and the Blackhawks, he featured a 51-point effort in 1950. Following his moderate success as a player, Guidolin found joy in coaching. He began in the OHA, now the OHL, coaching the team he once played for, the Oshawa Generals. After a stint with the London Knights and the AHL’s Boston Braves, Guidolin found himself in the show.
Coming in to replace Tom Johnson, Guidolin took over a roster that featured names like Bobby Orr and Phil Esposito. After a disappointing first-round exit in his first year, Guidolin led the Bruins to a Stanley Cup Final appearance in 1974. Unfortunately, the Bruins lost to the Philadelphia Flyers team dubbed the “Bradstreet Bullies,” who were in the middle of a dynasty.However, the story of Bep Guidolin should not be remembered for a mediocre playing career or a short coaching stint. He should be remembered as the original Bruins ‘youth movement’. The fact that a 16-year-old played in the NHL is almost inconceivable, yet it happened. Bep Guidolin unfortunately passed away in 2008 at the age of 82, but his legend lives on. Next: Can Bergeron and Backes be replaced?This story is one of the best tales in the 100-year history of NHL folklore. Armand ‘Bep’ Guidolin played in the NHL before he could vote, and this unknown story is one worth sharing.
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