Eddie Joyal, a former National Hockey League forward who spent more than a decade in the league, died on Saturday at the age of 86. His passing was confirmed by family members and reported by local media.
Joyal broke into the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings during the 1962‑63 season, immediately catching the eye of veteran Gordie Howe, who became a mentor to the young forward. The partnership helped Joyal adapt quickly to the rigors of professional hockey.
He helped the Red Wings reach the 1963 Stanley Cup Final, and his name entered the record books when he assisted on a goal by Gordie Howe in Game 4, a moment that highlighted the chemistry between the two and contributed to Detroit’s championship effort.
Joyal’s contributions extended beyond scoring; he supplied the insurance goal in a 2‑0 shutout by Terry Sawchuk against Montreal on Jan. 18, 1964, a performance that moved Sawchuk past George Hainsworth on the all‑time shutout list.
A Journey to the West Coast
After a trade to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the spring of 1965, Joyal was selected in the 1967 expansion draft by the Los Angeles Kings. Under the ownership of Jack Kent Cooke, who nicknamed him “The Jet” as a marketing strategy, Joyal became a fan favourite in Los Angeles.
During his four seasons with the Kings he netted 33, 23, 18 and 20 goals, accumulating 105 goals and 204 points in 319 games, numbers that still rank among the franchise’s early‑era leaders.
He later joined the Edmonton Oilers of the World Hockey League before retiring, leaving behind a legacy that linked some of the sport’s most storied franchises, from Detroit to Toronto to Los Angeles and finally to Edmonton.