The last few practices at Yost Ice Arena would have looked a little odd to Michigan hockey fans familiar with the 2010-11 team.

Seniors Shawn Hunwick and Greg Pateryn have been working alongside the familiar face of Scooter Vaughan, fine tuning the game plan for Western Michigan.

But 2010, this is not.

When Vaughan finishes up a drill, freshman forward Phil Di Giuseppe skates over and replaces him.

Vaughan, who graduated last semester, has been practicing with No. 3 Michigan (2-1-1 CCHA, 6-1-1 overall) for the last three weeks. He has been rehabbing a broken arm sustained in the San Jose Sharks’ training camp, trying to stay fresh to play professionally this season.

Vaughan was cut from the Sharks after the injury, but will be playing in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) for the Wheeling (W.V.) Nailers.

Michigan coach Red Berenson was happy to have him back, as he is with most of his former Wolverines. It says something about a program when a former player is welcomed back into Yost — when players talk about the “Michigan family,” they really aren’t kidding.

“They know that we are proud of them and we care about them after they leave,” Berenson said. “We can't do everything for them, but at least we can help them with the next step.”

Even though Vaughan isn’t exactly a grizzled old man at 22 — Hunwick is 24 — he has significantly more experience than much of the roster, namely the eight freshmen.

Vaughan imparted some wisdom on the younger players, as much as someone who graduated six months ago is able to. But he has also seen why the team has had success early this season.

“They are a good bunch of guys,” Vaughan said. “They seem to really like each other and spend a lot of time together away from the rink.”

Vaughan’s presence around practice, though, begs the question of comfort. Is it weird to be at your old digs, with so many new faces?

“It’s very weird — it’s not my team anymore,” Vaughan said. “I would love nothing more than to have another year under my belt and be able to play in Yost with all the guys but my time is done. I had my four years and it was fun while I was here but it’s time to move on. It’s nice to be back. They treat their ex-players well.”

With Michigan suffering several injuries, Vaughan has filled a void on one of Michigan’s five lines in practice, so the last few weeks have helped both Vaughan and Michigan.

Vaughan will be leaving for the ECHL on Monday, looking to extend his career in West Virginia. His last few weeks in Ann Arbor could only have helped.

“I think it’s been good for him, kept him fresh and kept him skating,” Berenson said. “The players at the next level don’t skate any better than our players. He just needs a chance to get in the game.

“I think he could play a game in the NHL and not be out of place. But it doesn’t matter what I think, it’s what someone else thinks and what someone else needs.”