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Dust off your history books: The story of Boston Bruins’ Bep Guidolin

By Davis Legree

TORONTO, ON - JUNE 21: The Stanley Cup rests below a stained glass dome in the Great Hall of the Hockey Hall of Fame June 21, 2011 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JUNE 21: The Stanley Cup rests below a stained glass dome in the Great Hall of the Hockey Hall of Fame June 21, 2011 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
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The Boston Bruins are becoming a younger, and quicker team. But regardless of how many rookies the Bruins roster features, none are as young as Bep Guidolin was when he made his NHL debut.

Many Boston Bruins fans are excited about the current ‘youth movement’ taking place in the Bruins’ system. However, the likes of Jake DeBrusk, Anders Bjork, and Charlie McAvoy would be considered ancient in comparison to Bep Guidolin’s start.

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, Oshawa Generals.

Playing Career

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 was 9th on the team in goals.

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The concept of a 16 year old 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 paradoy of the famous ‘Kraut Line‘, it consisted of Guidolin, Don Gallinger, the second youngest player in history, and Bill Shill. Gallinger’s story in interesting in itself as he ended up being banned for life from the NHL for gambling.

Coaching Career

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 featuring a 51 point effort in 1950. Following his moderate success as a player, Guidolin found a 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 “Broadstreet Bullies,” who were in the middle of a dynasty.

Legacy

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 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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