By @StefanKubus –

Helping coach the next generation of hockey talent at Joe Louis Arena Tuesday morning reminded Luke Glendening what it was like to be young again.

That’s not to say he’s an old man, either. At 26, the Grand Rapids native has been a veteran-like fixture on the Red Wings’ fourth line and top penalty-kill unit, invaluable experience he hoped to translate into knowledge he could pass on to the youth.

“It’s fun to be out there,” Glendening said. “It just reminds me of how much fun you have when you’re a kid and that hockey is supposed to be fun. You can get bogged down by the day-to-day during the season sometimes. To see these kids kind of gives you a breath of fresh air and rejuvenates you a little bit.”

Glendening added that he never had the chance to attend a camp like that as a kid, but that he would’ve loved the opportunity. For those who aspire to one day be in his position, he offered an important piece of advice.

“Just have fun, enjoy it, enjoy every minute of it and don’t take yourself too seriously.”

Photos from Tuesday’s action at the Red Wings Youth Camp (photos by Michael Caples/MiHockey)

With the off-season acquisitions of offensive defenseman Mike Green and veteran forward Brad Richards – fresh off a Stanley Cup with Chicago – Glendening said that having some competition for roster spots is healthy and should be motivational.

“It’s an exciting time. Since I’ve been here, which hasn’t been long, I don’t know if there’s been this much competition to get in the lineup. Obviously adding those guys is huge for us and it’s gonna make training camp real exciting.”

But obviously the additions have not been limited to the on-ice product, as Sault Ste. Marie native and former Grand Rapids Griffins coach Jeff Blashill was introduced as the new Red Wings’ bench boss this summer.

“A lot of us have played for him in Grand Rapids and know what he expects and know the way he handles things, so we’re excited for change,” Glendening said. “It’s a breath of fresh air. It’s just the way it is after a coach has been around for ten years. Babs will do great in Toronto, but I think it’s a good change for this team right now.

“They both expect a lot, pay close attention to detail and they’re both intense, but it’ll be good. It’s exciting for sure.”

MORE: Luke Glendening talks about the importance of playing other sports (and dance recitals)

Meanwhile, the former Wolverine has been training in Plymouth with Mike Barwis, former University of Michigan director of strength and conditioning. Glendening walked on to Michigan’s team in 2008 before ultimately becoming captain in his junior and senior seasons.

“I haven’t had a lot of experience with other people, but I know what he’s done for me, and I know what he’s done for the people in the gym is special,” Glendening said of Barwis. “He’s worked with a lot of people with spinal disabilities so it’s been awesome to be in there and see their improvements, as well.”

In addition to his training, though, there was the matter of recovery. Sporting a bandage on his hand Tuesday, Glendening said he’s practically at 100-percent after that deep laceration he suffered late in Game 4 against Tampa Bay in the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the game that the Lightning ultimately won in OT to tie the series at two aside.

“I got it taken care of at the beginning of the summer and it’s been good,” Glendening said.

The Red Wings will certainly need Glendening back in the lineup at full health in order to continue their streak of postseason appearances and to take that even farther. Though it’s no secret he’s a defensive specialist, the East Grand Rapids High School alum potted a career-high 12 goals and 18 points in his first full NHL season after scoring only one in 2013-14.

“I don’t know if it was a little confidence,” Glendening said. “I think getting one early kind of helped. I didn’t have to wait 51 games again or whatever it was to get it and that made it easier. But I don’t know, I put a lot of empty netters in, too. That makes it easier.”

He said he hopes to not only build on that offensive output next season, but also sharpen up his defensive game.

“I want to produce more than I did last year, get better on face-offs, help the penalty kill out. I think you can’t stay stagnant in this league and stick around so you can’t become complacent, you’ve got to get better every year.”

Despite his solidity and importance in the Detroit lineup, Glendening said if there’s one thing he learned from his journey to the pros, it’s to never take anything for granted.

“I don’t know if comfortable is the right word,” Glendening said of his job security. “I think you have to play like you’re fighting for your job every day or you’re not gonna make it. I needed to take more steps to secure a spot, but I thought I took a step in the right direction.”