Mason Appleton Bio
Mason Appleton is an American professional ice hockey forward for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on January 15, 1996, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, he developed into a reliable two-way winger known for his skating, work ethic, and special teams contributions. Since turning pro in 2017, he has suited up for the Winnipeg Jets, the Seattle Kraken, and now Detroit, building a reputation as a steady middle-six presence.
Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 194 pounds, Appleton shoots right and plays a north-south style that has translated across multiple leagues. He came into his own during a decorated college run at Michigan State, where he was named team captain, and he quickly added professional accolades in the American Hockey League before establishing himself in the NHL.
Early Life and Background
Mason Appleton was born on January 15, 1996, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, to parents Jim and Kim. He has cited his father as the reason he began playing ice hockey, crediting Jim with introducing him to the game at a young age. His younger cousin, Collin, also played ice hockey, and the two would later share the ice at Notre Dame Academy.
Appleton grew up in Green Bay, a region with a strong hockey tradition, and the city provided a fitting backdrop for his development. He attended Ashwaubenon High School, where during his freshman year he emerged as the third-leading scorer with 15 goals and 23 assists. He then transferred to Notre Dame Academy in 2011 to play alongside his cousin for the Tritons.
At Notre Dame Academy, Appleton helped the Tritons capture their first state championship, scoring the game-winning goal in the second overtime against Wausau West. The following season, he led NDA to a dominant run that included their first 20 consecutive wins, finishing with 20 goals and 25 assists in 28 games. His play earned him an invitation to USA Hockey’s Select 17 Camp, where he recorded an assist in five tournament games.
Path to Hockey
In his senior year at Notre Dame Academy, Appleton led the Tritons with 70 points and earned Wisconsin Hockey Coaches Association all-state honors, finishing as a finalist for player of the year. He capped his high school career with 66 goals and 110 assists, totals that made him a coveted junior prospect.
Appleton was selected third overall by the Tri-City Storm of the United States Hockey League (USHL), the highest a Notre Dame Academy player had ever been drafted. He played one USHL season with the Storm, finishing as the league’s sixth-leading scorer and third on the team with 28 assists. His strong junior campaign set the stage for a college commitment to Michigan State.
Mason Appleton Career
Early Career (2015–2017)
Appleton joined the Michigan State Spartans for the 2015–16 season and immediately produced, recording a team-high 17 assists and 22 points in 37 games. He scored his first collegiate goal on November 6, 2015, in a 5–0 win over New Hampshire, and became the first Spartan since 2009 to record a point in each of his first three collegiate games. He finished the year leading all freshmen with 22 points and earned the team’s Outstanding Rookie Award.
During the summer before his sophomore year, Appleton was selected 168th overall in the sixth round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft by the Winnipeg Jets. He returned to Michigan State with renewed confidence, centering a line with Patrick Khodorenko and Taro Hirose that produced 23 points in the team’s first nine games. He closed his sophomore season with a career-best 31 points, earned Team MVP and Outstanding Offensive Player honors, and was named the 72nd captain in program history.
Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose (2017–2021)
After two college seasons, Appleton signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Jets carrying an average annual value of $758,333 and was assigned to their AHL affiliate, the Manitoba Moose, for 2017–18. Starting on the Moose’s fourth line, he quickly climbed to the top line as a left winger and recorded his first AHL goal on October 21 against the Iowa Wild. By April 2018, he led the Moose with 61 points in 71 games, setting franchise rookie records in assists and points.
His rookie AHL campaign also saw him lead all league rookies in scoring and finish fourth in the overall points race. He was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team, represented the Moose at the 2018 AHL All-Star Classic, and won the Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award as AHL Rookie of the Year. A late-season concussion kept him out of the 2018 Calder Cup playoffs against the Grand Rapids Griffins.
Appleton made his NHL debut on December 1, 2018, against the New Jersey Devils, recording an assist on Andrew Copp’s third-period goal. He scored his first NHL goal on December 20, 2018, beating Martin Jones in a 5–3 win over the San Jose Sharks, establishing himself as a full-time NHL contributor for the Jets.
Seattle Kraken and Return to Winnipeg (2021–2025)
On July 21, 2021, Appleton was selected from the Jets by the Seattle Kraken at the 2021 NHL expansion draft, becoming part of the league’s newest franchise. He spent the 2021–22 season in Seattle before being traded back to the Winnipeg Jets on March 20, 2022, one day before the trade deadline, in exchange for a 2023 fourth-round draft pick. He continued to serve as a reliable middle-six winger and penalty killer for Winnipeg over the next three seasons.
Detroit Red Wings Era (2025–Present)
On July 2, 2025, Appleton signed a two-year, $2.9 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings, beginning a new chapter in his career. The move brought a veteran, two-way forward to a young Detroit roster looking to climb the Atlantic Division standings. He joined the Red Wings with designs on contributing across multiple lines and on the penalty kill.
Driving Style and Strengths
Appleton is recognized for his straight-line speed, responsible defensive play, and effectiveness on the penalty kill. His right-handed shot and willingness to play in tough areas make him a coach-friendly complementary piece, while his offensive instincts allow him to chip in secondary scoring. Coaches have consistently praised his offseason preparation and the leadership he has shown at every level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature moments are his overtime state championship-winning goal with Notre Dame Academy, his AHL Rookie of the Year honor in 2018, and his first NHL goal against the San Jose Sharks in December 2018. His selection by the Seattle Kraken at the 2021 expansion draft marked him as part of NHL history, and his 2025 free-agent signing with Detroit signaled the next phase of his career.
Mason Appleton Career Wins
Appleton’s career is measured less in championship banners and more in steady, two-way contributions, with one major individual title to his name. His most celebrated achievement came in 2018, when he was named AHL Rookie of the Year with the Manitoba Moose, capping a record-setting season in which he set franchise rookie marks in assists and points.
Junior and Collegiate Highlights
Appleton’s first major team triumph came with Notre Dame Academy, where he scored the overtime goal that delivered the Tritons their first state championship. At Michigan State, he earned Team MVP and Outstanding Offensive Player honors in 2016–17 and was named the 72nd captain in program history. Those performances established him as one of the Spartans’ most productive forwards of his era.
Other Wins and Performances
In the AHL, Appleton was selected as the CCM/AHL Player of the Week in November 2017 after posting six points in three games, including two game-winning goals. He represented the Manitoba Moose at the 2018 AHL All-Star Classic and earned First All-Star Team recognition, underscoring his status among the league’s top rookies that year.
Mason Appleton Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Appleton was raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin, by his parents, Jim and Kim. His father, Jim, is credited with first introducing him to ice hockey, and the family has been a steady source of support throughout his career. His younger cousin, Collin, also played ice hockey, and the two even shared the ice together at Notre Dame Academy.
Personal Life
Appleton maintains close ties to his Green Bay roots and has spoken about the influence his family has had on his development as a player. He balances his professional schedule with time spent with family, and his journey from a Wisconsin high school standout to an NHL veteran reflects the foundational role his parents and cousin have played in his life.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks Mason Appleton’s first year with the Detroit Red Wings after signing a two-year, $2.9 million contract on July 2, 2025. He joined a Red Wings team aiming to take a step forward in the Atlantic Division under a young, developing core, and his veteran presence was expected to stabilize the forward group.
Appleton opened the season as a dependable middle-six winger and penalty-killing option, leaning on the straight-line skating and responsible two-way play that defined his time in Winnipeg. His role allowed Detroit to deploy him in defensive matchups while still providing secondary offense, and he quickly integrated with his new linemates.
Looking ahead, Appleton’s two-year deal gives him a chance to cement himself as a long-term fit in Detroit’s plans while contributing to a team pushing toward playoff contention. With his blend of experience, special teams value, and leadership, he is positioned to be a meaningful piece of the Red Wings’ 2025–26 push and beyond.
