Canucks’ Dakota Joshua Shares He Had Cancerous Tumor Removed

Vancouver Canucks forward Dakota Joshua revealed on Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with testicular cancer. During the summer, he underwent surgery to remove a tumor.

At the age of 28, Joshua shared that he is still in the process of recovering from the surgical procedure, but he remains hopeful about returning to play for the 2024-25 season.

In a statement released by the Canucks, Joshua discussed his experience, saying, “This summer, I felt a lump on one of my testicles that doctors would later diagnose as testicular cancer. This news was obviously scary to hear, but thankfully, doctors were able to successfully remove the tumor.”

He described the past few weeks as “extremely challenging,” but expressed gratitude for the support he has received from his family, friends, teammates, and medical professionals.

Unfortunately for Joshua, he announced that he would not be ready for the start of training camp due to his ongoing recovery. “I plan on returning to play as soon as possible this season and I am working hard every day to re-join my teammates,” he added.

Originally from Michigan, Joshua made his NHL debut during the 2020-21 season with the St. Louis Blues. After spending part of two seasons with the Blues, he signed with the Vancouver Canucks as a free agent, where he earned a more significant role on the team.

Last season, Joshua had an impressive performance, achieving career highs with 18 goals and 14 assists for a total of 32 points in 63 games. Over his career, which spans 184 games with both the Blues and the Canucks, he has accumulated 64 points (33 goals, 31 assists), 567 hits, and 143 penalty minutes.

Reflecting on his diagnosis, Joshua emphasized the importance of early detection, stating, “Although it was very difficult to face the reality of this specific type of cancer, getting checked by a doctor quickly was the best approach and I encourage men to get checked regularly for testicular cancer.”

As he continues his recovery, Joshua requested respect for his privacy regarding his health situation and acknowledged that the team would provide updates when appropriate. He also extended his thanks to everyone for their understanding and support during this challenging time.