Canucks' Joshua making season debut after testicular cancer surgery

Vancouver Canucks forward Dakota Joshua is making his season debut Thursday night against the New York Islanders, head coach Rick Tocchet confirmed.

Joshua announced at the start of training camp that he underwent surgery for testicular cancer, causing him to miss Vancouver's first 14 games.

"It's like making a major trade," Tocchet said of Joshua's return, according to Canucks Insider. "He's a big kid with good hands."

Joshua set career highs in goals (18), points (32), and average ice time (14:23) last season and added eight points in the playoffs. He signed a four-year, $13-million contract extension in June after his breakout campaign.

The Canucks enter Thursday's matchup sitting second in the Pacific Division by points percentage (.679), with a record of 8-3-3.