Bep Guidolin was a professional ice hockey player and coach who had a successful career in the National Hockey League (NHL) and the World Hockey Association (WHA). He was born on December 9, 1925, in Thorold, Ontario, Canada, and began his hockey career in the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) with the St. Catharines Falcons.
Guidolin made his NHL debut in 1942 with the Boston Bruins, where he played as a forward for six seasons. He was known for his speed and scoring ability, and he helped the Bruins win the Stanley Cup in 1943 and 1946. In 1948, Guidolin was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks, where he played for two seasons before being traded to the Detroit Red Wings in 1950.
Guidolin played for the Red Wings for two seasons before being traded to the New York Rangers in 1952. He played for the Rangers for one season before being traded back to the Bruins in 1953. Guidolin played for the Bruins for one more season before retiring as a player in 1954.
After his playing career, Guidolin became a coach in the minor leagues before being hired as the head coach of the Bruins in 1961. He coached the Bruins for two seasons before being fired in 1963. Guidolin then coached the San Francisco Seals of the Western Hockey League (WHL) for two seasons before being hired as the head coach of the Bruins again in 1966.
Guidolin coached the Bruins for three seasons before being fired in 1969. He then coached the WHA's Vancouver Blazers for one season before being hired as the head coach of the WHA's Indianapolis Racers in 1974. Guidolin coached the Racers for one season before being fired in 1975.
Guidolin then coached the WHA's Quebec Nordiques for two seasons before retiring from coaching in 1977. He finished his coaching career with a record of 385 wins, 304 losses, and 95 ties in the NHL and WHA.
Guidolin was known for his fiery personality and his ability to motivate his players. He was also known for his innovative coaching strategies, such as using a two-goalie system and using a forward on defense.
Guidolin passed away on November 24, 2008, at the age of 82. He was inducted into the Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.
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