New Toronto Maple Leafs forward Dakota Joshua will don No. 81 in Toronto, but not simply because those are the digits he wore during his three seasons with the Vancouver Canucks.

Joshua is also a fan of the most famous Maple Leaf to wear the number: Phil Kessel.

"I love the mojo there," Joshua told Postmedia's Lance Hornby. "I knew his story and looking forward to playing a long time here like Kessel did."

Kessel and Joshua are both testicular cancer survivors. Kessel overcame it as a rookie with the Boston Bruins in 2006-07, prior to a six-year run with the Maple Leafs in which he racked up 394 points - 25th-most in franchise history - across 446 games.

Joshua missed the start of the 2024-25 season following his diagnosis.

"It puts your life in perspective," Joshua said. "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."

The 29-year-old endured a down season after returning to the lineup in November, producing seven goals and seven assists in 57 games. He set career highs with 18 goals and 14 assists in 63 appearances the year prior. Joshua also added four goals and four assists in 13 playoff contests that spring.

The Maple Leafs acquired Joshua on Thursday in exchange for a 2028 fourth-round pick. He's under contract for three more years with a $3.25-million cap hit.

Joshua was originally drafted by the Maple Leafs in the fifth round in 2014, though he never suited up for the club. He spent two years with the St. Louis Blues - under current Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube - prior to joining the Canucks in 2022.

The 6-foot-3, 206-pound winger ranks 12th among NHL skaters with 659 hits over the past three seasons.

Mac Hollowell is the only other player in club history to wear No. 81.