Conor Garland opens up on Dakota Joshua's recent diagnosis

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Cooper Godin
September 22, 2024 (8:03)

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Vancouver Canucks forward Conor Garland opened up on his linemate Dakota Joshua's recent diagnosis with testicular cancer.

The Canucks organization and fan base have been thinking about Dakota Joshua over the last week after it was announced that he was diagnosed with testicular cancer after finding a lump, which he had surgery on. Joshua hasn't been able to participate in training camp understandably.

Joshua had a career-year during the 2023-24 season, playing on Vancouver's third line alongside Conor Garland, which may have been one of the more effective bottom-six lines in the entire NHL.. That line will be intact at some point early in the coming season, once Joshua is given the green light to return.

Conor Garland spoke recently about Dakota Joshua's diagnosis and said that the two of them are in contact quite often and that he's one of his best friends off the ice.

"We're in touch quite a bit. Obviously he's one of my best friends off the ice," said Garland. "We talked a lot this summer. We had plans for him to come to my house, obviously didn't happen."

He added, "He's a great guy. He's going to get through it. We talk a lot and right now it's not about hockey. We're just enjoying each other's company."

The Canucks are hoping to see Dakota Joshua back on the ice very soon, but his health comes first, there's no doubt about that. Joshua's diagnosis is also an important lesson for men in their 20s and early 30s, who are affected by testicular cancer the most and should check themselves for any lumps and abnormalities.