If you have ever wanted to see instant regret on a sideline, watch what happens when a big lumbering defenseman switches onto Joyce in any environment. You will see a coach jumping up and down and calling for help before the goalie even turns his hips. That’s because Joyce has the kind of footwork that terrifies longpoles that rely on their physicality too much. Choppy, jabby set-up steps rapidly turn into longer strides towards the net every time Joyce gets his defender to back up. And they will back up; it’s just a matter of how far and when the slide gets triggered. Joyce has that kind of dodger juice – especially if he can get a run right off the catch.

With two goals and an assist against BBL at the IMLCA Players Summit, Conor Joyce’s production came as no surprise. He put up 30 goals and 17 assists as a freshman starter at Greenwich CDS, and that same efficiency showed again in Florida. Joyce’s game is built on quickness—his feet, decisions, and release are all a step ahead.

As a ball carrier, he has the shiftiness to shake defenders and the burst to run by them when he wants a step. When slides come or in transition, he shows great touch and deception as a passer, consistently making his teammates open. One of his best weapons is his release. He doesn’t waste cradles, and his lightning-quick snap freezes goalies, especially when he uses the same release to hit all four corners.