Dakota Joshua still struggles to put into words what it felt like to receive the news.

The Vancouver Canucks winger knew something was wrong, but hearing the doctorB次元官网网址檚 diagnosis of testicular cancer was scary.

B次元官网网址淜ind of something you canB次元官网网址檛 be prepared for. But the support from my family, friends, the fans, the organization B次元官网网址� everyoneB次元官网网址檚 been so nice and very caring,B次元官网网址� Joshua said Friday.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 just very thankful and happy to be standing here today. Very hard to go through, but thankful for how itB次元官网网址檚 turned out so far.B次元官网网址�

Joshua, 28, underwent surgery in early September and has been working his way back to the CanucksB次元官网网址� lineup ever since.

After missing training camp and the first few weeks of the regular season, he has rejoined the team for practices and even shed the red non-contact jersey.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 feeling good. IB次元官网网址檓 getting better every day,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淥bviously, itB次元官网网址檚 been a tough road to get back in the mix. But itB次元官网网址檚 going good. And IB次元官网网址檓 just happy to be back out there and getting after it with the guys.B次元官网网址�

The cancer diagnosis followed a career season where Joshua contributed 18 goals and 14 assists across 63 regular-season games. He added four goals and four assists in the playoffs, then signed a four-year, US$13-million contract extension at the end of June.

While no date has been set for when Joshua will return to VancouverB次元官网网址檚 lineup, Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet said heB次元官网网址檚 looking forward to the body positioning and wall work the six-foot-three, 206-pound forward brings.

B次元官网网址淚 think he could add a boost to our team with that, with winning battles and just his presence in front of the net,B次元官网网址� Tocchet said. B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 a tough guy to play against. So any time you add a guy like that in the lineup, itB次元官网网址檚 contagious.B次元官网网址�

For Joshua, returning isnB次元官网网址檛 just about seeing whether he can play for three periods.

B次元官网网址淚 want to go out there and I want to make stuff happen and have an impact and help this team win games,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淪o, not sure when thatB次元官网网址檒l be, but getting close and getting better every day.B次元官网网址�

Sticking around his teammates has been part of JoshuaB次元官网网址檚 healing process. HeB次元官网网址檚 joined the team for road trips and is an important presence in the locker room, Tocchet said.

Being around the guys is the best part of playing professional hockey, Joshua said.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a lot of fun and we have a great job,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淪o to just be a part of it and get up to do it every day is a privilege.B次元官网网址�

The Canucks (4-2-3) are set to begin a three-game road swing through California on Saturday when they visit the San Jose Sharks.