Armand "Bep" Guidolin—One Influential Hiring

Armand "Bep" Guidolin is not one of the first names that spring to mind when thinking back to the most influential members of the storied Oiler franchise. However, in a strange way, the Thorold, Ontario-born Guidolin did have plenty of influence on the budding dynasty in just one year of service.

If for noting else, the unpopular coach and general manager will be remembered as the man who put the team’s destiny in Glen Sather’s capable hands. Sather captained the struggling WHA Oilers during the 1976-77 season, and according to the Douglas Hunter book "The Glory Barons," Guidolin decided to step down from the bench and make Sather a player/coach. The idea was that someone else could take the fall for the disappointing season. Sather was, like many other hockey coaches, hired to be fired.

"I entertained my first thoughts about becoming a coach when Guidolin told me I was either going to coach or sit in the crowd," Sather was quoted as saying in "The Glory Barons."

The problem for Guidolin was that Sather led the Oilers to a 9-7-2 finish, good enough to earn Edmonton a spot in the WHA playoffs ahead of the rival Calgary Cowboys. Edmonton bowed out in the first round that year, but by next season the team enjoyed a first-place finish. Larry Gordon, the WHA’s former vice-president of operations, was eventually named as Guidolin’s successor with Sather taking firm command of the coaching duties.

Guidolin was well known for having been the youngest player ever to make the NHL. He was 16 when his professional hockey career began and hockey became a huge part of his life from that moment on. In 1965-66, Guidolin led the OHA’s Oshawa Generals to the Memorial Cup, only to lose in the finals to the Edmonton Oil Kings. Guidolin did coach a few seasons in the NHL, most notably with the Boston Bruins in the early 1970s. Well into his fifties, Guidolin took one last shot at coaching when he got a job with the Brantford Alexanders of the OHL.

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