Joshua hopes to return to Canucks lineup after cancer surgery

Dakota Joshua is on the road to recovery after being diagnosed with testicular cancer over the summer and hopes to return to the Vancouver Canucks lineup in the near future.

The Canucks forward returned to practice and spoke to the media Friday for the first time since undergoing surgery in September.

“I feel good, I feel better every day,” Joshua said. “Obviously it’s been a tough road to get back into the team, but it’s going well and I’m just excited to get back out there and have success with the guys.”

Joshua, 28, was hoping to have a successful second season with the Canucks when he was diagnosed. The Dearborn, Michigan native said he decided to see a doctor when he felt a lump. It’s hard to hear the news that she has been diagnosed with cancer.

“Until you’re in that position, you can’t really describe it,” Joshua said. “Of course it’s scary no matter what age, but I’m just very grateful and happy to stand in front of you guys today. It’s hard to go through, but I’m grateful for how things have turned out so far.”

Last season, Joshua scored 32 points (18 goals, 14 assists) in 63 games with the Canucks and eight points (4 goals, 4 assists) in 13 Stanley Cup playoff games. Vancouver was eliminated in the second round of the Western Conference by the Edmonton Oilers.

Just before training camp this season, Joshua released a statement revealing his cancer diagnosis.

“The initial part was very difficult, but today I feel good and for the most part it’s all behind me and there are things to look at to move forward,” Joshua said. “But despite this, the initial process was the difficult part. But now it’s in sight and I’m doing well.”

The Canucks aren’t sure when Joshua will be able to play. He is currently training with the team and working to get back into playing shape. Vancouver plays the San Jose Sharks on Saturday (10 p.m. ET; NBCSCA, CITY, SN, CBC) in the first of a three-game road trip through California.

“I feel better every day,” Joshua said. “It’s still hard to pinpoint exactly when that time will be, but more than that, I’m just making progress and getting better every day.”

The Canucks (4-2-3) are in third place in the Pacific and look to bounce back from a 6-0 home loss to the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday. Just being back with his teammates was a positive thing for Joshua.

“It was fun,” he said. “It’s a lot of fun and we have a great job and so it’s a privilege to be a part of it and get up to do it every day. It’s the best thing when you’re around these guys and having those bonding moments, there’s nothing bad to say about it. It’s one of the best jobs in the world, so it makes it easier to do it every day, and it’s good to bring everyone together.”

The rest of the Canucks are excited to see their teammate back on the ice. On June 27, Joshua signed a four-year contract worth $13 million ($3.25 million average annual value).

“He’s part of our family, away from his family, and he’s a huge part of this hockey team,” Canucks forward JT Miller said earlier this week. “He’s such a character in terms of having a voice in the room and keeping the lights on, but he’s also a hell of a hockey player on the ice. So, he brings so much to this team, but personally none of that matters, it’s just about how he feels and his health and the fact that he feels well enough to hope to be back soon, or whatever the no matter what he did, it’s amazing. He’s been through a lot and I like to think we’re his family away from home and we have a ton of support here and the guys love him so we’re just happy for him.”

Joshua said he received great support throughout the process and hopes he can help others by sharing his experience.

“People have reached out to me and told me about their experiences,” he said. “It’s nice and it’s nice to know that you’re not the only one who’s been through something hard.

“The family have been wonderful and very supportive every step of the way and I am very grateful to them. They’ve made some trips and hung out since the beginning, and they’re ready to see me play again, too.”

When he’s ready to return to the lineup, Joshua wants to once again be an impact player for the Canucks. He is a strong two-way center who brings a physical element to the lineup. He has also become a leader in the locker room, according to Canucks coach Rick Tocchet.

“You guys know how I feel about body position and wall work, and he’s good at it,” Tocchet said. “He can give our team momentum by winning battles. His presence in front of goal alone makes him a tough guy to play against. Any time you add a guy like that to the lineup, it’s contagious.”

Freelance reporter Kevin Woodley contributed to this report.