Canucks’ Dakota Joshua to make season-debut after cancer treatment

Vancouver Canucks forward Dakota Joshua is set to make his return Thursday night against the New York Islanders, head coach Rick Tocchet announced.

In September, the team announced that the 28-year-old would be sidelined indefinitely as he recovers from surgery to address testicular cancer.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Joshua said after the morning skate. “That was a scary time but I’m very thankful and just happy to be in this position still.”

General manager Patrik Allvin told reporters on Saturday he hoped Joshua would be able to make his return during the team’s six-game homestand. Joshua has been ramping up his workload in recent weeks and has been skating with the team.

At Thursday’s practice during line rushes, Joshua played right wing on the team’s fourth line with Aatu Raty manning the middle and Nils Hoglander on the left wing.

“It’s like making a major trade,” Tocchet said about the forward’s return to the lineup.

The Dearborn, Mich., native had a breakout campaign with the Canucks last season, tallying 18 goals and 14 assists — career-highs for both — in 63 games. He also laid down 245 hits and 40 blocked shots while averaging 14:23 of TOI. That performance earned him a four-year, $13 million contract in the off-season.

Vancouver is currently 8-3-3 and sits in third place in the Pacific Division.

You can watch Joshua make his debut as the Canucks take on the Islanders at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT on Sportsnet Pacific or Sportsnet+.