GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Davenport's D1 Hockey season starts this weekend but they will get a little extra help this week when three pro hockey players practice with the Panthers. NHL players Mike Knuble and Chris Summers along with Luke Glendening have been with the Panthers the past few days to help them take their game to the next level.

Mike Knuble played four seasons with the University of Michigan before moving up to play with the Adirondack Red Wings for the 1995 Calder Cup playoffs. He spent the next couple season with Adirondack before making his NHL debut on March 26, 1997 with the Detroit Red Wings. In his first full season with the Red Wings, he helped Detroit to their second consecutive Stanley Cup title.

Knuble has since played with the New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, and most recently the Washington Capitals. His best professional season came in 2005-06, when he recorded a career high in goals (34), assists (31), and points (65).

Chris Summers was born in Ann Arbor, Mich. and played four seasons for the Wolverines before signing a two year contract with the Phoenix Coyotes. Summer has spent the past three seasons playing with the San Antonio Rampage, the Portland Pirates, and the Coyotes. The defenseman made his professional debut during the 2010-11 season when he played in two games for the Coyotes. Last season, he played in 21 games for Phoenix recording three assists and 11 penalty minutes.

Luke Glendening will also be practicing with the Panthers. The East Grand Rapids native has spent the past four years with the University of Michigan. The former Wolverines captain had his best season his senior year as he recorded a career high 21 points on 10 goals and 11 assists. Earlier this summer, Glendening signed to play with the Grand Rapids Griffins.