Vancouver Canucks center Dakota Joshua is set to return to the ice for his team after missing the first 14 games of the season while battling testicular cancer.
Joshua participated in the skate Thursday morning and is in the lineup for his team’s Thursday night game against the New York Islanders.
Speaking to the media after the morning warm-up, Joshua set a standard for himself in his first match back.
“I expect to be good, I don’t expect a grace period. “I have been working hard on it, so I expect to make an impact as soon as possible,” he told reporters.
Joshua revealed his diagnosis back in September and that he would not be ready to start the season if he recovered.
“This summer I felt a lump in one of my testicles, which doctors would later diagnose as testicular cancer,” Joshua said in a statement released by the Canucks.
Vancouver Canucks forward Dakota Joshua returns to the lineup for the first time this year
Joshua missed the start of the season while recovering from a procedure for testicular cancer
‘This news was of course frightening to hear, but fortunately the doctors were able to successfully remove the tumor.
‘The last few weeks have been extremely challenging and I have been fortunate to have the support of my family, friends, teammates and doctors.
“Unfortunately, I won’t be ready for the start of training camp as I continue to heal from surgery. “I plan to play again this season as soon as possible and I am working hard every day (to) get back together with 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 consideration.
Joshua made his NHL debut in 2021 against the Anaheim Ducks, scoring a goal in his first game.
He spent the 2021-2022 season splitting time between the Blues and their AHL affiliate in Springfield, Massachusetts.
As a free agent, Joshua signed a two-year, $1.65 million contract with the Vancouver Canucks in the 2022 offseason.
Joshua signed a four-year extension to remain with the Vancouver Canucks last offseason
Last year, Joshua had a career high in goals and points and ranked in the top ten in the league in goals scored
In his first season with Vancouver, Joshua played in a career-high 79 games, tallying 11 goals and 23 points.
Last season, he scored 18 goals and a career-high 32 points in 63 games while finishing ninth in the league in goals.
This offseason, Joshua signed a four-year, $13 million extension with Vancouver to remain with the team.
Currently, the Canucks are third in the Pacific Division and fifth in the Western Conference.