Winnipeg selected Appleton in the sixth round (168th overall) of the 2015 NHL draft. Appleton recorded 51 goals and 70 assists in 351 games with the Jets. Appleton set career highs in goals (14) and assists (22) during the 2023-24 season.

Former Michigan State hockey forward Mason Appleton, signed by Detroit Red Wings in NHL free agency, had 10 goals last season with Winnipeg.

The Detroit Red Wings signed center Mason Appleton to a two-year contract Wednesday with an annual average value of $2.9 million. That seems like a hefty price for a 29-year-old coming off a 10-goal, 22-point season in 71 games for the Winnipeg Jets.