Dakota Joshua is on the road to recovery after being diagnosed with testicular cancer over the summer and hopes to return to the lineup for the Vancouver Canucks in the near future.

The Canucks forward returned to practice and spoke to the media on Friday for the first time since undergoing surgery in September.

“I feel good, I feel better every day,” Joshua said. “Obviously it’s been a tough road to get back in the mix, but it’s going well and I’m just happy to get back out there and watch it with the guys.”

Joshua, 28, was looking to build on a strong second season with the Canucks when he was diagnosed. The Dearborn, Michigan native said he took it upon himself to go to the doctor when he felt a lump. Being diagnosed with cancer was difficult news to hear.

“Until you’re in that position, you can’t really describe it,” Joshua said. “It’s obviously scary at any age, but I’m just very grateful and happy to be in front of you today. It’s hard to go through, but I’m grateful for how it’s turned out so far.”

Joshua had 32 points (18 goals, 14 assists) in 63 games for the Canucks last season and eight points (four goals, four assists) in 13 games during the Stanley Cup playoffs. Vancouver was eliminated in the second round of the Western Conference by the Edmonton Oilers.

Just before this season’s training camp, Joshua released a statement revealing his cancer diagnosis.

“The initial part was really tough but I feel good today and for the most part it’s behind me and there are things you have to look for going forward,” Joshua said. “But getting past that, the starting process was a tough part. But now it’s in the rearview mirror and I’m doing well.”

The Canucks are unsure when Joshua will be available to play. For now, he is training with the team and working on getting back into game shape. Vancouver is at the San Jose Sharks on Saturday (10 p.m. ET; NBCSCA, CITY, SN, CBC) in the first of a three-game road trip to California.

“I feel better every day,” Joshua said. “It’s still hard to really pinpoint when that moment will be, but more than just taking those steps and getting better every day is where I’m at.”

The Canucks (4-2-3) are third in the Pacific and looking to bounce back from a 6-0 loss at home to the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday. Just being back among his peers was positive for Joshua.

“It was fun,” he said. “It’s a lot of fun and we have a great job, so it’s a privilege to be a part of it and get to do it every day. That’s the best part, being around those guys and having those bonding moments, you can’t say anything bad about it. It’s one of the best jobs in the world, so doing it every day makes it easier and bringing everyone together is good.”

The rest of the Canucks are happy to see their teammate back on the ice. Joshua signed a four-year contract worth $13 million (average annual value of $3.25 million) on June 27.

“He’s part of our family away from his family and he’s a big part of this hockey team,” Canucks forward JT Miller said earlier this week. “He’s such a character in the sense of a voice in the room and he keeps it light, but he’s also a heck of an ice hockey player. So he brings so much to this team, but personally none of that matters, it’s just about how his health is and that he’s feeling good enough to hopefully be back soon or whatever his case is, it’s wonderful. He’s been through a lot and I like to think we’re his family away from home, we’ve got loads of support here and the boys love him so we’re happy for him.”

Joshua said he had great support throughout the process and hopes he can help others by sharing his experience.

“People have reached out and told me their experiences,” he said. “It feels good and it’s nice to know you’re not the only one going through something difficult.

“The family have been great and very supportive every step of the way and I am very grateful to them. They’ve made a few trips and stayed from the beginning, and they’re ready to see me play again.”

When he’s ready to return to the lineup, Joshua wants to get back to being an impact player for the Canucks. He is a strong two-way center who brings a physical element to the lineup. He has also become a leader in the locker room, according to Canucks coach Rick Tocchet.

“You guys know how I feel about body position and wall work and he’s good at it,” Tocchet said. “He can add momentum to our team with that, with winning battles. Just his presence in front of the net, he’s a tough guy to play against. Anytime you add a guy like that to the lineup, it’s contagious.”

Freelance correspondent Kevin Woodley contributed to this report