Canucks' Dakota Joshua Opens Up About Cancer Recovery

Vancouver Canucks forward Dakota Joshua met with reporters for the first time since returning from offseason cancer surgery.

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Joshua has been skating with the team and is approaching his season debut.

"I'm feeling good. I'm getting better every day. Obviously, it's been a tough road to get back in the mix, but it's going good," Joshua said. "[I'm] just happy to be back out there and getting after it with the guys."

Joshua was a key contributor for the Canucks last season and was heavily relied upon by head coach Rick Tocchet. The forward set career-highs in goals (18), assists (14), and points (32) last season.

The mental battle is something that Joshua says he struggled with, especially at the beginning of his recovery.

"It's really hard to put into words something that you can't really be prepared for," Joshua said. "The support from my family, friends, the fans, the organization as a whole, everybody's been, you know, so nice and very caring, which I love to see, and made the tough time a lot easier."

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Joshua revealed that he had surgery in early Sept. but has since fully recovered and continues to get in game shape.

Joshua won't play in tomorrow's game against the San Jose Sharks, but his return is imminent. Given his IR status, the team will be forced to make a roster move to accommodate him in the lineup.