Source: The Hockey News
The NHL entry draft is an annual event where every franchise of the National Hockey League (NHL) systematically selects the rights to available ice hockey players who meet the draft eligibility requirements. Notably, the NHL Entry Draft is held once every year, generally two or three months after the previous regular season ends.
At the draft, every team, on their turn, selects amateur players from junior or Collegiate programs and professional players from European Leagues. For the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, the San Jose Sharks hold the right to claim the first overall pick while the Utah Hockey Club have the most picks with 13. It will also be the 62nd NHL Draft within the league and will be broadcasted live on ESPN/ESPN+, Sportsnet or on TVA Sports (for American and Canadian audience respectively).
Youngest NHL Draft Pick
The youngest NHL pick in history is Armand “Bep” Guidolin. Notably, he was just 16 years old when he began his NHL career in 1942. Guidolin quickly rose to the NHL as a result of World War II which forced many players to leave for military service in between their active playing careers. At the same time, the Boston Bruins were in terrible need of the replacements to fill their empty roster. This provided Guidolin with a chance to shine on the biggest stage of them all. He later made his debut on November 12, 1942, at the age of 16.
His debut season saw him make 41 more appearances with seven goals and 15 assists in his bag. The following season, his point production increased with a total tally of 25 points from 47 games. Notably, his military eligibility in 1944 brought a halt to his career a whole year, with him starting with the Newmarket Navy in the TNDHL and Toronto Army Daggers in the Ontario Hockey Association Senior A League after his military service got over. Remarkably, he made a smashing return to the Bruins in 1945-46, as he contributed an all time personal best of 32 points over 50 games played. The following season turned out to be his last, with him departing for the Detroit Red Wings in 1947. The subsequent years saw him dress for the Chicago Black Hawks in the NHL and later for the Syracuse Warriors in the AHL. Interestingly, he was also part of the minor Ottawa Senators during the middle phase of his career. Guidolin later retired in 1961 after playing with the Omaha Knights in the International Hockey League (IHL). Guidolin soon turned to coaching with the Windsor Spitfires in the WOJBHL and later had remarkable tenures with the London Knights of the OHL, the Boston Braves, Philadelphia Firebirds in the AHL, Edmonton Oilers of the World Hockey Association (WHA) and lastly with the Boston Bruins and the Kansas City Scouts in the NHL.
Sadly, Bep Guidolin died on November 24, 2008, at the age of 82 in Barrie, Ontario, Canada.
FAQs
A. Armand “Bep” Guidolin is the youngest player to be ever drafted in the National Hockey League (NHL).
A. The 2024 NHL Draft will be taking place at The Sphere in Las Vegas on June 28 and 29.
A. Bep Guidolin played with the Chicago Black Hawks, Detroit Red Wings and the Boston Bruins throughout his professional playing career. He also had tenures with many minor league teams once he left the National Hockey League (NHL).
A. Connor Bedard is the youngest player in the NHL as of June 2024.
A. Around 345 players have made their NHL debut at age 18 or younger, including 284 in the League's expansion era (since 1967-68).
