Bep Guidolin

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Armand Guidolin (born December 9, 1925 in Thorold, Ontario) was a National Hockey League player.

Guidolin stood 5'8" at 175 lbs, and was left shooting left winger in the NHL. He later went onto a coaching career. He was nicknamed "Bep" because his mother spoke Italian and very little English. Armand was the baby of the family and his mother pronounced baby as "beppy". The nickname stuck and was shortened to "Bep".

[edit] Playing career

Guidolin played junior hockey with the Oshawa Generals of the OHA, playing in the Memorial Cup in 1942. Later that year he became the youngest player (16 years, 11 months) to play in a NHL game, November 12, 1942. (Toronto 3, Boston 1).

His quick rise to the NHL was a direct result of WW II. The Boston Bruins were in dire need of replacements to fill the roster holes created by so many players leaving for military service. In 1944, his eligibility for military service brought a one-year break from his NHL career.

Guidolin also played for the Detroit Red Wings and the Chicago Blackhawks. Armand was an ardent support for the formation of a player's union, which led to an early demise to his NHL career in 1952. He played for nine years in the minors, then retired to a coaching career.

[edit] Coaching career

Guidolin coached the Belleville McFarlands, winning the Allan Cup in 1958. In 1965 he became the coach of this former junior team the Oshawa Generals, featuring 17 year old future Hockey Hall of Fame defenceman Bobby Orr. He led the Generals to the Memorial Cup finals in 1966 versus the Edmonton Oil Kings. Guidolin later coached the London Knights of the OHL (1969-71), Boston Bruins and the Kansas City Scouts of the NHL, and the Edmonton Oilers of the WHA.

Preceded by Tom Johnson	Head Coaches of the Boston Bruins 1972–1974	Succeeded by Don Cherry
Preceded by none	Head Coaches of the Kansas City Scouts 1974–1976	Succeeded by Sid Abel
Preceded by Clare Drake	Head Coaches of the Edmonton Oilers 1976–1977	Succeeded by Glen Sather

Boston Bruins Head Coaches
Ross • Denneny • F. Patrick • Weiland • Clapper • Boucher • L. Patrick • Schmidt • Watson • Sinden • Johnson • Guidolin • Cherry • Creighton • Cheevers • Goring • O'Reilly • Milbury • Bowness • Sutter • Kasper • Burns • Keenan • Ftorek • O'Connell • Sullivan • Lewis