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 doctor91裸聊视频檚 diagnosis of testicular cancer was scary.

91裸聊视频淜ind of something you can91裸聊视频檛 be prepared for. But the support from my family, friends, the fans, the organization 91裸聊视频� everyone91裸聊视频檚 been so nice and very caring,91裸聊视频� Joshua said Friday.

91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 just very thankful and happy to be standing here today. Very hard to go through, but thankful for how it91裸聊视频檚 turned out so far.91裸聊视频�

Joshua, 28, underwent surgery in early September and has been working his way back to the Canucks91裸聊视频� 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.

91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 feeling good. I91裸聊视频檓 getting better every day,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淥bviously, it91裸聊视频檚 been a tough road to get back in the mix. But it91裸聊视频檚 going good. And I91裸聊视频檓 just happy to be back out there and getting after it with the guys.91裸聊视频�

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 Vancouver91裸聊视频檚 lineup, Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet said he91裸聊视频檚 looking forward to the body positioning and wall work the six-foot-three, 206-pound forward brings.

91裸聊视频淚 think he could add a boost to our team with that, with winning battles and just his presence in front of the net,91裸聊视频� Tocchet said. 91裸聊视频淗e91裸聊视频檚 a tough guy to play against. So any time you add a guy like that in the lineup, it91裸聊视频檚 contagious.91裸聊视频�

For Joshua, returning isn91裸聊视频檛 just about seeing whether he can play for three periods.

91裸聊视频淚 want to go out there and I want to make stuff happen and have an impact and help this team win games,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淪o, not sure when that91裸聊视频檒l be, but getting close and getting better every day.91裸聊视频�

Sticking around his teammates has been part of Joshua91裸聊视频檚 healing process. He91裸聊视频檚 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.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 a lot of fun and we have a great job,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淪o to just be a part of it and get up to do it every day is a privilege.91裸聊视频�

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.