Dakota Joshua`s previous season with the Vancouver Canucks was exceptionally challenging, marked by a cancer diagnosis, a mid-season injury, and the ongoing team turmoil. Adding to an already difficult year, Joshua was traded by the Canucks to the Toronto Maple Leafs in July.
Now, the 29-year-old Michigan native is eagerly anticipating a new chapter in his career.
“The mental wear and tear of going in and out took its toll last year,” he stated during a recent episode of The JD Bunkis Podcast. “I want to put it behind me and really focus on having a great year.”
Joshua received a testicular cancer diagnosis last summer, shortly after achieving career-best statistics with 18 goals, 14 assists, and 32 points. He had also contributed significantly in the playoffs, adding eight more points (four goals, four assists) in 13 games. This diagnosis forced him to miss training camp, and he didn`t rejoin the Canucks` lineup until mid-November.
He recalled the sudden impact: “I was preparing for training camp after a strong season, ready to continue that momentum. And then, at that moment… my world changed overnight.”
In January, just as he felt he was regaining his form, Joshua sustained a leg injury that sidelined him for 11 games. He ultimately played in 57 games for the Canucks that season, recording only seven goals and seven assists—a significant drop from his previous performance.
Joshua commented on his arduous return: “Coming back didn`t go as smoothly as I`d hoped. You think you can just step back on the ice and instantly regain form, but that wasn`t the reality. It took longer than I anticipated to reach my desired level.”
He further elaborated on his recovery challenges: “Just as I felt I was gaining momentum, I suffered another minor injury that kept me out for a month, essentially forcing me to start the recovery process over.”
Despite these profound setbacks, Joshua believes he finished the season strongly, which prepared him for “a great summer.” Soon after, he was traded across Canada to the Maple Leafs, the team that originally drafted him in the fifth round in 2014.
Although Joshua never played for Toronto previously, he feels ready for the increased media scrutiny that comes with playing in such a hockey-centric market. He draws on his experience with the Canucks last season, a period marked by constant media attention due to controversies surrounding players like Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller.
He noted the similarities: “To understand how things operate, we were constantly in the media spotlight last year, with something new every week, which certainly didn`t make things easier for anyone in the locker room. I imagine it`s quite similar in Toronto.”
For the Leafs, Joshua is expected to fill a bottom-six checking forward role, contributing occasional offense. He characterizes his playing style as a “north-south” player, emphasizing directness and physicality.
He underlined the consistent effort required: “You gotta be on your toes every single night. I played with some excellent linemates [in Vancouver], and I`ll have that opportunity again here in Toronto. I know my capabilities and what I can achieve. It`s simply about regaining that level and starting the season powerfully.”
Ultimately, Joshua`s objectives for his new chapter are clear:
“To build my career to its highest potential and contribute to the Leafs` success in winning games.”
