Playing career

A gifted offensive centre who played the game cleanly, Eddie Joyal played nearly 500 NHL games, mostly with the Los Angeles Kings.

Joyal learned to play ice hockey on a frozen river downhill from his home in St. Albert, Alberta. When healthy, he impressed with the Edmonton Oil Kings of the WCJHL. He scored 84 points in two seasons when he was restricted to 58 games due to injuries.

Joyal signed on with the Detroit Red Wings and began his pro career with the Edmonton Flyers of WHL in 1960-61. After scoring 37 goals in 1961-62, he was elevated to the Pittsburgh Hornets of the AHL the next season and scored ten points in 14 games for the Detroit Red Wings. Joyal suited up for 47 games the next year and helped the Wings reach the 1964 Stanley Cup Finals. His winning goal against Toronto Maple Leafs' Johnny Bower gave his team a 3 games to 2 edge in a series they failed to close out. Joyal played one more season in Detroit before being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs where he played in 14 games during 1965-66.

NHL expansion gave Joyal's career new life. He was claimed by the Los Angeles Kings and went on to enjoy four and a half impressive years on the West Coast. He hit the 20-goal mark three times including a career-high 33 goals in 1968-69. Midway through the 1971-72 season he was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers where he was a role player the rest of the season.

After being chosen in the WHA General Player Draft, Joyal played four years with the Edmonton Oilers. He scored 22 goals twice and helped his team make the playoffs in 1973-74.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]