He didn't arrive in Richmond until after training camp was over. He's the smallest player on the roster. He tends to spend too much time in the penalty box.

But right wing Justin Joy has more than earned his spot with the Renegades - and in the fans' hearts - with his speed and hustling. The 5-8, 189-pounder has also turned himself into a scoring threat lately.

"I came in knowing I had to prove myself," Joy said yesterday after practice at SkateNation Plus. "I think I'm doing a pretty good job. I'm still here."

In Richmond's past five games - four of them wins - Joy has three goals and two assists, giving him 13 goals and 29 points in 46 games. The native of Norfolk, N.Y., scored the game-winner with three seconds left against Jacksonville on March 7.

"He gives you 110 percent every night," Richmond coach Brian Goudie said. "He's one of the hardest workers I've seen out there. He's always buzzing around. It doesn't matter what position I put him in, center or winger. He's one of the best penalty-killers on the team."

Joy will be on a newly formed line with Donald Melnyk and Brett Needham when Richmond meets first-place Knoxville tonight at the Coliseum.

After spending two college years with Plattsburgh State and two more at Elmira, Joy went to training camp with the New Mexico Scorpions (Central Hockey League) in the fall.

"It didn't work out," he said. "The day I got told I was going to be released, I drove straight to Richmond. Took me about 25 hours. Gouds told me he'd give me a fair shot if I came down, and he did. I was in good shape because they're above sea level in [Rio Rancho, N.M.]. I was ready to go."

Joy was a point-a-game scorer in college, but his production hasn't been the same with the Renegades until recently.

"It was slow at first," Joy said of his start with Richmond. "I should have more goals. I get a lot of chances. It's there. I've just got to bear down a little harder."

The 25-year-old finds himself sitting in the penalty box more often than he and Goudie would like. He has 63 penalty minutes, most of them minors for hooking, tripping or high-sticking.

"I get a lot of stick infractions," Joy said. "They usually end up scoring when I get them, too, because I'm a penalty-killer. I'd like to stay out of the box. You can't score from the box."

Being one of the smallest players on the ice, Joy has to make up for it with his skating and strength.

"I think my skating has picked up this year, playing with faster guys," Joy said. "I'm in the gym all the time. I work out hard, four or five times a week. Maybe it gives me an edge over some guys."

Joy shaved his head into a mohawk before the trip to Jacksonville. Perhaps it'll improve his scoring, if not his looks.

"Just a little change," he said. "Playoffs coming up. A little stylish cut."
Contact John Packett at (804) 649-6313 or jpackett@timesdispatch.com.