The native of St. Albert, Alberta, northwest of Edmonton, learned to play the game on a frozen river downhill from his home. 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 Detroit. Joyal suited up for 47 games the next year and helped the Wings reach the 1964 Stanley Cup finals. His winning goal against Toronto's 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 Motown before he was traded to the Maple Leafs where he got into 14 games in 1965-66.

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 Alberta/Edmonton Oilers. He scored 22 goals twice and helped his team make the playoffs in 1973-74.

Courtesy of the Hockey Hall of Fame