Vancouver Canucks winger Dakota Joshua is set to make his season debut Thursday after missing time for cancer treatment.

Head coach Rick Tocchet says Joshua will slot into the lineup Thursday when Vancouver (8-3-3) hosts the New York Islanders.

The 28-year-old from Dearborn, Mich., was diagnosed with testicular cancer this summer and underwent surgery in early September.

He spoke earlier this month about his recovery, saying it had been B次元官网网址渧ery hard to go throughB次元官网网址� and that he was thankful for support from his friends, family, teammates and fans.

B次元官网网址淭hat was a scary time but I am very thankful and just happy to be in this position still and be able to go out there and play,,B次元官网网址� Joshua said following ThursdayB次元官网网址檚 morning skate.

The cancer diagnosis followed a career season where Joshua contributed 18 goals and 14 assists across 63 regular-season games, then added four goals and four assists in the playoffs.

Now, heB次元官网网址檚 ready to focus on contributing again.

B次元官网网址淚 expect to be good, I donB次元官网网址檛 expect a grace period. IB次元官网网址檝e been putting the work in so I expect to come out there and make an impact as soon as possible,B次元官网网址� he said.

B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 know if itB次元官网网址檚 going to be perfect right from the get-go, but itB次元官网网址檚 about putting your best foot forward and working your way to a point of perfection.B次元官网网址�

The six-foot-three, 206-pound Joshua signed a four-year, US$13-million contract extension at the end of June.