logo
Dakota Joshua takes fellow cancer survivor Phil Kessel's No. 81

Dakota Joshua takes fellow cancer survivor Phil Kessel's No. 81

National Post3 days ago
Article content
But in asking for it, the new left winger isn't thinking of Phil Kessel the enigmatic scorer as much as a fellow testicular cancer survivor.
Article content
Article content
'I love the mojo there,' Joshua told the Sun on Tuesday when confirming he'll wear his familiar digits from the Vancouver Canucks. 'I knew his story and looking forward to playing a long time here like Kessel did.'
Article content
Kessel's bout with the disease was with the Boston Bruins, before he led Toronto in points six consecutive seasons up to 2015. Joshua was diagnosed early last season, had a tumour removed and made it back to play 57 games. But it affected many aspects of his play and while his offensive numbers slipped, the Canucks missed the playoffs and the term and burden of Joshua's contract ($3.25 million for three more years) were part of a change in direction for that club.
Article content
'For sure it puts your life in perspective,' Joshua said of his serious medical issue. 'The biggest takeaway is that anything can happen to you, so make the most of (life). But after coming out the other side, I'm stronger as a person. It makes you confident you can get through anything.'
Article content
Joshua was traded here a week ago for a fourth-round pick in 2028. He was briefly in the Leaf orbit as a 2014 draft selection at 128th overall, the year William Nylander went eighth.
Article content
Joshua stayed at home at Dearborn, Mich., for that draft in Philadelphia, but did come to a couple of developmental camps where at 6-foot-3 and 206 pounds, he certainly garnered attention.
Article content
But the Leafs were undergoing a huge changing of the guard and he didn't see a future in Hogtown – at least then.
Article content
'Being drafted by the Leafs was very special, a big moment in my career. It didn't work out (the Ohio State grad was traded to St. Louis for future considerations), a mix of not being the right fit and a better opportunity with the Blues.
Article content
'But I had fun at Toronto's camps and coming here today (to the Ford Centre practice facility) it was a little familiar to me.'
Article content
The 29-year-old met with general manager Brad Treliving, the training and equipment staff and caught up with some Leafs who are already busy with summer training. He says there was no discussion of exactly where he'll fit in on left wing, likely in the bottom six once September camp begins.
Article content
'Today was moreso an introduction, getting back in the building and Brad telling me to have a good summer so I can hit the ground running in a couple of months.'
Article content
Since the trade, the sports networks have flooded their Leaf segments with Joshua's fights, including one with Ottawa's Brady Tkachuk, one of Toronto great nemeses, another a couple of years ago with Leaf defender Mark Giordano just before he turned 40.
Article content
Giordano, now a member of the Leafs' development staff, said at the time he had second thoughts once he saw how big Joshua was.
Article content
'I didn't see Mark today, but I'm sure when I do, we'll have a few laughs about it,' Joshua said.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

'Public narrative was one-sided': Hockey Canada sex assault defence lawyers respond to verdict
'Public narrative was one-sided': Hockey Canada sex assault defence lawyers respond to verdict

Edmonton Journal

time13 hours ago

  • Edmonton Journal

'Public narrative was one-sided': Hockey Canada sex assault defence lawyers respond to verdict

Five former Canadian world junior hockey players were found not guilty in a high-profile sexual assault trial related to a 2018 incident in London, Ont. The case had sparked a national reckoning over hockey culture, and what is and what isn't considered consent. Here's how the lawyers for Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube and Callan Foote reacted to Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia's verdict, which was delivered in a London courtroom on Thursday. Article content Article content Article content Mr. McLeod will not be speaking to the media, and I understand the other players will not be speaking to the media. I will not be taking questions and other counsel who come to address you, they will not be taking any questions. Article content Mr. McLeod had confidence in the Justice process, and he welcomes Justice Carrocia's decision, confirming that he and his co defendants are not guilty of sexual assault. Justice Carrocia's carefully reasoned decision represents a resounding vindication for Mr. McLeod and for his co defendants. Justice Carrocia's found that the complainant's testimony was incredible and was unreliable. Article content For years, public perception was shaped by a one-sided narrative from a civil lawsuit that went unchallenged. In large part because hockey Canada settled the claim without first informing or consulting the players. The decision was made unilaterally, and the players were only told of the lawsuit and the settlement after the fact. Had they been consulted, they would have refused to settle, and they would have vigorously contested EM's allegations. Article content Article content That version of events dominated headlines and created a lasting and, a false, a false impression of guilt. It was only through this criminal trial that the allegations were fully and finally tested. The court compared the complainant's 2018 statements to the police, which rightly resulted in no charges with the later conflicting civil claim. Key elements of EM's story were contradicted by the evidence, exposing serious falsehood and leading to today's clear and just verdict of not guilty. Justice Carrocia rejected EM's claims of fear and her claims of non consent. That should be the takeaway from today's judgment. Article content Article content The damage to Mr. McLeod's reputation and his career has been significant. But today's decision begins to restore what was very unfairly taken away from him. Mr. McLeod is deeply grateful to his family, friends, his agent, and everybody who stood by him.

Roughriders ready for Fajardo-led Elks on Friday night in Week 8
Roughriders ready for Fajardo-led Elks on Friday night in Week 8

National Post

time18 hours ago

  • National Post

Roughriders ready for Fajardo-led Elks on Friday night in Week 8

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are set to take on the Edmonton Elks for the first time this season. Article content After beating the B.C. Lions in Vancouver last weekend, the Roughriders (5-1) are now set to host the Elks (1-4) on Friday night (7 p.m., TSN) at Mosaic Stadium in Week 8 of the CFL season. Article content The Elks, who are coming off a bye week, lost to the Lions 32-14 in their last outing on July 13 to drop to 1-4. Article content Article content Saskatchewan has won 11 of the past 15 matchups between the two clubs, but Edmonton has won the previous two meets at Mosaic Stadium. Article content Fajardo — who played for the Riders in 2019-22 — has never started against his former team despite spending the last two seasons with the Montreal Alouettes prior to joining the Elks this season. This season Fajardo has thrown nine passes for 107 yards and a touchdown in relief of Ford, who is listed as the backup. As for the Riders, the Green and White have made two lineup changes. Article content With veteran running back Ka'Deem Carey (knee) heading to the six-game injured list, rookie Mario Anderson will make his CFL debut at backup running back behind starter A.J. Ouellette. Article content And along the offensive line, Noah Zerr starts at left guard for Zack Fry (head), who is headed the one-game injured list. Rookie Darius Washington makes his second career start at left tackle as Daniel Johnson remains on the one-game injured list. Article content Article content Article content While it's the first meeting of the season between the two clubs, who will also meet on Sept. 27 in Week 17, the Roughriders will be reminded of what Edmonton did to them last year. Article content In Week 9 of the season in 2024, the Elks came into Saskatchewan and picked up their first win of the season as they defeated the Riders 42-31. The loss, which was Saskatchewan's second defeat in a seven-game winless skid, dropped their record to 5-3. Article content In that game, Ford — who was making his first start of the season — threw for 252 yards and rushed for 46 more while running back Javon Leake put up 169 rushing yards. Article content In 2023, a similar storyline played out in Week 15 of the season when Edmonton came into Saskatchewan and picked up a 36-27 victory thanks to a 175-yard performance by running back Kevin Brown, while Ford ran for 70 yards of his own and passed for 173 more. Article content That loss dropped the Riders record to 6-7 while Edmonton improved to 4-10. Article content Dual threat

Time is undefeated, but Venus Williams and Manny Pacquiao display how athletes can age gracefully
Time is undefeated, but Venus Williams and Manny Pacquiao display how athletes can age gracefully

CBC

time18 hours ago

  • CBC

Time is undefeated, but Venus Williams and Manny Pacquiao display how athletes can age gracefully

Social Sharing Eight-division world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao used ring I.Q. and boxing geometry to overcome height and reach deficits in his title fight against Mario Barrios, earning a controversial draw against a bigger, stronger, harder-hitting opponent. And if you think we're re-heating headlines from the Pac Man's late-2000s heyday, think again. That bout happened last Saturday in Las Vegas. Barrios, the World Boxing Council welterweight champion, is 30. Pacquiao, who last fought in August 2021, will be 47 in December. If he had edged out one more round on two judges' scorecards, he'd have become the first boxer in history to win world titles in four different decades. Even if he didn't defeat Barrios, Pacquiao earned a victory over age and expectations. Three days later Venus Williams, 45, ended two year layoff from pro tennis, entered the D.C. Open as a wildcard, and dispatched Peyton Stearns, a player roughly half her age, to reach the round of 16. These back-to-back triumphs for 80s babies offer more than a glimmer of hope for those of us old enough to wake up with aches we can't explain. They're more like a beacon, and a compelling argument against one of the most rock-solid axioms in sport and life. If time really is undefeated, how do you explain this weekend? Easily. But if we look at Pacquiao and Williams' performances as self-awareness success stories, and case studies in the value of choosing your opportunities wisely, we might learn something from these last few days. First, let's acknowledge that Pacquiao and Williams defied recent sports medicine trends just by reaching the arena in one piece. We just finished watching an NBA Playoffs in which two star players younger than age 30 – Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum – suffered a ruptured achilles tendon, an injury we normally associate with advanced age and high mileage. The third NBA star to tear his achilles tendon this post-season, Damian Lillard, turned 35 last week. Age matters at the extremes Against the backdrop, watching Pacquiao and Williams roll back the odometer looks even more impressive. They both turned pro during Bill Clinton's first term as president. If you can't remember that far back, that's the point. This kind of longevity might not be unprecedented, but it's rare. Let's also keep in mind that age matters at the extremes. It's why a 9.8 sprinter can stroll unrecognized through most U.S. cities, but a high schooler who breaks 10-flat becomes a minor internet celebrity. And it's why masters sports group athletes into cohorts that span five years, accounting for a sort of reverse puberty. In terms of strength and muscle mass, 55 and 60 years old are as different as 15 and 20. Age classifications matter, so when middle-aged athletes enter open competition, we're right to view their performances through the prism of their age. That's why so many people are classifying Pacquiao's draw against Barrios, a competitive fight by the stats, as a robbery. Barrios landed more punches, but if you think the intangibles favoured Pacquiao it's reasonable to see those two factors evening out to produce a draw. But Pacquiao, as we noted, is 46. At that age, even people who train daily are more likely to have arthritis than visible abs. Barrios, a top-ranked welterweight 16 years Pacquiao's junior, should have handled him, but Pacquiao kept rallying and landing punches and weathering Barrios' offence. It wasn't the fight most of us envisioned. There's a difference, however, outperforming expectations, which Pacquiao did, and winning a fight, which he didn't. There's also a gap between winning a bout, which one judge said Barrios did, and winning convincingly. But if you factor in Pacquiao's age, simply keeping pace with Barrios seems like a win. With Williams, there's no "seems like." She took the first set 6-3, and the second 6-4, so there's nothing to debate, not even whether Peak Venus Williams would have dispatched Stearns even more quickly. We're still discussing an all-time great, after all. Timing is everything But this weekend's results aren't evidence that Pacquiao and Williams have figured out how to freeze time. It's the opposite. Their success shows they've made smart adjustments for the aging process. You'll note, for example, that Pacquiao's surprise draw and Williams' convincing win came on night one, fresh off long layoffs. Given what we understand now about the art, science, and importance of recovery for older athletes, we know Pacquiao and Williams entered these contests with fully charged batteries, and would likely feel different on the last day of a long season. Which is to say, for those of us trying to perform physically even though we're closer to 50 than we are to 40, timing matters. And so do opponents. Stearns is an NCAA champ, which makes her several echelons better than the best tennis player reading this column. But she also competes in a sport where most elites turn pro instead of playing in college. By her age, Williams was already a nine-year veteran of the WTA tour. Williams is on the downside now, but even her current plateau hovers above most people's ceiling. As for Pacquiao – he chose Barrios for a reason. Among the current champions at 147 pounds, Barrios has the most glaring shortcomings. Defence is one, and a lack of home-run punching power is another. On fight night we learned he was also startstruck, reluctant to let his hands go when he had Pacquiao stunned, and willing to abandon half his offence when Pacquiao complained to the referee about body punches that appeared legal. Pacquiao made it clear that he didn't want Barrios punching him in the stomach, and Barrios, for large stretches of the fight, complied. If Pacquiao had chosen Brian Norman Jr., the hard-hitting W.B.O. champion, for his comeback fight, we'd be looking at one of two outcomes – peeling Pacquiao off the canvas or retrieving him from the rafters. Norman hits that hard. But if you're staying active deep into middle age, and trying to find inspiration in Pacquiao and Williams' success, that's the point. It's not just okay to scale back your goals and challenges. It's smart. Pacquiao is as unlikely to unify the welterweight title as Williams is to capture another Grand Slam, but it doesn't matter. They're still overperforming relative to the restraints that age places on all of us, and highlighting one more distinction few of us had considered until now. The one between aging gracefully and aging forcefully.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store