Vancouver Canucks center Dakota Joshua is set to make a return to the ice for his team after missing the first 14 games of the season as he battled testicular cancer.
Joshua took part in Thursday’s morning skate and is in the lineup for his team’s Thursday night tilt against the New York Islanders.
Speaking to the media after the morning warmup, Joshua set forth a standard for himself in his first game back.
‘I expect to be good, I don’t expect a grace period. I’ve been putting the work in, so I expect to come out there and make an impact as soon as possible,’ he told reporters.
Joshua revealed his diagnosis back in September and that he wouldn’t be ready to make the start of the season as he recovered.
‘This summer, I felt a lump on one of my testicles that doctors would later diagnose as testicular cancer,’ Joshua said in a statement released by the Canucks.
‘This news was obviously scary to hear, but thankfully, doctors were able to successfully remove the tumor.
‘The last several weeks have been extremely challenging and I’ve been fortunate to have the support of my family, friends, teammates and doctors.
‘Unfortunately, I will not be ready for the start of training camp as I continue to heal from surgery. I plan on returning to play as soon as possible this season and I am working hard every day (to) re-join my teammates.’
A native of Dearborn, Michigan, Joshua was selected in the fifth round, 128th overall, in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
After spending four years at Ohio State University, Joshua’s draft rights were traded to the then-Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues in exchange for future considerations.
Joshua made his NHL debut in 2021 against the Anaheim Ducks, tallying a goal in his first game.
He spent the 2021-22 season splitting time between the Blues and their AHL affiliate in Springfield, Massachusetts.
As a free agent, Joshua signed a two-year, $1.65million contract with the Vancouver Canucks in the 2022 offseason.
In his first season with Vancouver, Joshua appeared in a career-high 79 games, tallying 11 goals and 23 points.
Last season, he scored a career-high 18 goals and 32 points in 63 games – all while finishing ninth in the league in hits.
Over the offseason, Joshua inked a four-year, $13million extension with Vancouver to remain with the team.
Currently, the Canucks sit third in the Pacific Division and fifth in the Western Conference.
