Guidolin, youngest NHLer ever and former Orr coach, dead at age 82

BARRIE - Armand (Bep) Guidolin, who at 16 became the youngest player to skate in an NHL game and later went on to coach Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Orr, has died. He was 82.

Guidolin died Monday at a Barrie hospital, according to his family.

Guidolin, who was born in Thorold, Ont., made his NHL debut with the Boston Bruins on Nov. 12, 1942, at the age of 16 years 11 months, becoming the league's youngest player ever. The Bruins desperately needed his help to fill holes left by players who were serving in the Second World War.

He went on to play nine seasons in the NHL, recording 107 goals and 171 assists in 519 games with Boston, Detroit and Chicago.

After his playing career ended in 1961, Guidolin turned to coaching and was behind the Oshawa Generals' bench when Orr starred for the junior club. He then had NHL coaching stops in Boston, where he coached Orr again, and Colorado. Guidolin was also coach and general manager of the Edmonton Oilers in '70s when they were still in the World Hockey Association.

He and his wife of 62 years Eleanor had four children.

Funeral arrangements were not immediately available.