The MSU hockey program held its version of a family reunion last week, but instead of burgers, beer and dorky party games, there were pucks, slap shots and shards of glass.

For the third-straight summer, Spartan assistant coach Tom Newton welcomed back former MSU skaters for a weeklong “pro camp” at Munn Ice Arena. Nineteen former Spartans showed up this time, hoping to see some old friends and get into shape for their respective pro training camps next month.

And while conditioning was the driving force behind the camp, Newton tailored the week to be enjoyable and competitive as well.

“It’s just fun, it’s fun to be out there with those guys - they’re a good bunch,” Newton said.

The laid-back attitude was evident in the session-closing scrimmage - a 4-on-4, wide-open, defense-second score-fest - on Friday. The pros, who ranged from NHL All-Star Mike York to the four departed seniors from last year’s MSU team, showed off large portions of their stick-handling and shot-making trickery in the informal game.

Then, after wearing out the goalies, who largely were left out to dry by half-hearted defense, the players chugged through a few skating drills and were dismissed for the final time by Newton.

That’s when the fun really started.

What began as a contest between York and Bryan Adams to shoot a puck through a 4-inch hole in the glass about 40 feet away turned into an all-out attempt by the players to shatter the plexiglass. Former defenseman Jon Insana cracked the safeguard first and, about 25 shots later, former forward John Nail finished the job.

“It’s always good to see those guys come back and feel a part of our program,” Newton said. “They’ve done a lot for Michigan State and the camp is a very good alumni relations tool for our program.

“I mean, Shawn Horcoff came back from L.A., where he was living and training for the summer. I think the guys know there is a good level of play here. They know they’ll be pushed, but not tortured. I think the guys have found it as a good way to go from their summer training programs to true prep for training camps.”

York agreed.

“It’s tough to really motivate yourself and get into actual game shape when your just out there not doing any drills,” said York, who played on the U.S. Olympic team in February. “When (Newton) is out there, he gives us some organization and skates us pretty good.”

Kip Miller, a 10-year NHL veteran who plays for the New York Islanders, also was honing his skills last week at Munn. Miller, a native of Lansing, is the third-leading scorer in MSU history after amassing 261 points from 1986-90. He won the Hobey Baker Award as a senior.

And he still has a home in the area, so he didn’t have far to go for Newton’s camp.

“You don’t want to go to training camp and not be fresh,” Miller said. “You would get aches and pains there, so I’d rather come and get them here and get them out of the way and skate better in camp.”

While York and Miller are proven NHL players, other camp participants are just looking to validate themselves as professional hockey players this year. Adams signed with the Detroit Red Wings earlier this month and although he’s not expected to make the team, he used last week as preparation for a tough camp with the Wings.

“Obviously, you want to work at a good pace and get your lungs and legs back and just get ready,” Adams said. “I’m really excited to go to training camp and see all those future Hall of Famers.”

Recently graduated defenseman Andrew Hutchinson also is gunning for an NHL job. He is signed with the Nashville Predators, although he’s expected to open the season with the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League.

He said Newton’s camp provided him with a golden opportunity to play against pros before heading to Nashville’s camp.

“It’s not as intense as a camp would be - it gets a little competitive, but it’s not too aggressive out there,” Hutchinson said. “It shows how strong the MSU program is that guys enjoy coming back here. Everyone gets along together, whether you were here in ’90 or whether you just graduated. It’s a good place to be in the summer.”