Mason Appleton Bio
Mason Appleton is an American professional ice hockey forward who plays for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on January 15, 1996, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Appleton has built his career through steady development at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels. Known for his two-way play and offensive consistency, he has contributed as a depth scorer and a reliable middle-six forward throughout his time in the league. He signed with the Detroit Red Wings in July 2025, beginning a new chapter in his professional journey.
Early Life and Background
Mason Appleton was born on January 15, 1996, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, to parents Jim and Kim Appleton. He has credited his father, Jim, as the person who introduced him to ice hockey and sparked his lifelong passion for the sport. Growing up in Green Bay, Appleton was surrounded by the strong hockey culture of Wisconsin, which helped shape his early development as a player. His younger cousin, Collin, also played ice hockey, and the two later shared the ice together during Appleton’s high school years.
Appleton attended Ashwaubenon High School before transferring to Notre Dame Academy in 2011, where he played for the Tritons. During his freshman year at Ashwaubenon, he was the third-leading scorer with 15 goals and 23 assists. At Notre Dame Academy, he played alongside his cousin Collin and helped the Tritons win their first state championship, scoring the overtime winner against Wausau West. The following season, he led the team with 20 goals and 25 assists in 28 games, earned a selection to USA Hockey’s Select 17 Camp, and finished his senior year with 70 points and Wisconsin Hockey Coaches Association all-state honors.
Path to Hockey
Following his senior year at Notre Dame Academy, Appleton was drafted third overall by the Tri-City Storm of the United States Hockey League (USHL), the highest selection in program history for an NDA player. He spent one season with the Storm, finishing as the league’s sixth-leading scorer and third on his team with 28 assists. His performance in the USHL helped establish him as a top collegiate prospect heading into the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
In 2015, Appleton joined the Michigan State Spartans for his freshman season in the NCAA. He recorded a team-high 17 assists and 22 points in 37 games, scored his first collegiate goal on November 6, 2015, against the New Hampshire Wildcats, and became the first Spartan since 2009 to record a point in his first three collegiate contests. He was named the Spartans’ Outstanding Rookie and led all freshmen with 22 points. That summer, he was selected in the sixth round, 168th overall, by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
Mason Appleton Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
After two seasons at Michigan State, Appleton signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Winnipeg Jets and was assigned to their American Hockey League affiliate, the Manitoba Moose, for the 2017–18 season. He quickly moved up the Moose depth chart and recorded his first AHL goal on October 21, 2017, against the Iowa Wild. His strong play earned him the CCM/AHL Player of the Week honor in November 2017 after posting six points in three games, including two game-winning goals.
By April 2018, Appleton led the Manitoba Moose with 61 points in 71 games, setting franchise rookie records in assists and points while leading all AHL rookies in scoring. He was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team, represented the Moose at the 2018 AHL All-Star Classic, won the Dudley “Red” Garrett Memorial Award as AHL Rookie of the Year, and earned a spot on the AHL’s First All-Star Team. A late-season concussion forced him to miss the opening round of the 2018 Calder Cup Playoffs.
Winnipeg Jets and NHL Debut (2018–2021)
Appleton made his NHL debut on December 1, 2018, against the New Jersey Devils, recording an assist on Andrew Copp’s third-period goal. Later that month, on December 20, 2018, he scored his first NHL goal against goaltender Martin Jones in a 5–3 win over the San Jose Sharks. Over the following seasons, he earned a regular role with the Jets, contributing as a versatile forward capable of playing up and down the lineup.
Appleton spent four seasons developing into a reliable middle-six forward with the Winnipeg Jets, serving in a checking-line role while also producing offensively. His blend of speed, hockey sense, and responsibility in all three zones helped him become a steady presence in the Jets’ forward group.
Seattle Kraken and Return to Winnipeg (2021–2025)
On July 21, 2021, Appleton was selected by the Seattle Kraken in the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft, becoming part of the franchise’s inaugural roster. He played one season in Seattle before being traded back to the Winnipeg Jets on March 20, 2022, in exchange for a 2023 fourth-round draft pick. He then returned to the Jets, where he continued to play a depth role and contribute offensively in a bottom-six capacity.
Detroit Red Wings Era (2025–Present)
On July 2, 2025, Appleton signed a two-year, $2.9 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings, marking his first move to the Eastern Conference and the next step in his professional career. The signing reflected Detroit’s continued effort to add versatile, two-way forwards to its lineup. His prior experience in multiple roles, including the penalty kill and middle-six forward duties, positioned him as a useful addition for the Red Wings’ forward group.
Driving Style and Strengths
Appleton is recognized for his hockey IQ, responsible two-way play, and steady skating. He has typically been deployed in bottom-six and middle-six roles, contributing on the penalty kill and providing secondary offense. His work ethic and willingness to play a complete game have made him a trusted depth forward throughout his NHL career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Appleton’s most notable achievements are his 2018 AHL Rookie of the Year honors, his first NHL goal against the San Jose Sharks in December 2018, and his selection by the Seattle Kraken in the 2021 Expansion Draft. He has also recorded franchise rookie records with the Manitoba Moose and earned All-Rookie recognition in the AHL.
Mason Appleton Career Wins
While ice hockey forwards are not typically measured by traditional “wins,” Mason Appleton’s career is marked by consistent contributions across multiple levels. He won the Dudley “Red” Garrett Memorial Award as AHL Rookie of the Year in 2018, helped the Notre Dame Academy Tritons capture a Wisconsin state high school championship, and contributed to multiple playoff appearances with the Manitoba Moose and the Winnipeg Jets.
Professional Highlights
Appleton’s most prominent individual honor came in 2018, when he was named the AHL’s top rookie after setting franchise records with the Manitoba Moose. He was also named to the AHL First All-Star Team and represented the Moose at the 2018 AHL All-Star Classic. At the NHL level, his first NHL goal against the San Jose Sharks on December 20, 2018, remains a career milestone.
Other Wins and Performances
At the junior and high school levels, Appleton helped the Notre Dame Academy Tritons win a Wisconsin state championship and was a finalist for Wisconsin player of the year in his senior season. In the USHL, he finished as the sixth-leading scorer in the league during his only season with the Tri-City Storm.
Mason Appleton Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Mason Appleton was raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin, by his parents, Jim and Kim Appleton. His father, Jim, is credited as the person who first introduced him to ice hockey. His younger cousin, Collin Appleton, also played ice hockey and even shared the ice with Mason during their time together at Notre Dame Academy.
Personal Life
Appleton grew up in a tight-knit family in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he developed his love for the game. He has continued to be recognized for his strong family ties and the role his parents played in supporting his hockey career from an early age.
2025 Season Performance
Mason Appleton entered the 2025 season as a new member of the Detroit Red Wings following his July 2, 2025, signing. His two-year, $2.9 million contract reflected Detroit’s confidence in his two-way reliability and his ability to contribute in a bottom-six role. As a versatile forward, he was expected to play a meaningful role on the penalty kill and provide secondary scoring.
Appleton’s transition from the Western Conference, where he had spent his entire career with the Winnipeg Jets and Seattle Kraken, marked a significant change in his professional environment. Joining a young Red Wings team offered him an opportunity to play a steadier role and contribute to a franchise in the middle of a rebuild. His professional resume, including AHL Rookie of the Year honors and over 250 NHL games, positioned him as a stabilizing presence in Detroit’s locker room.
Looking ahead, Appleton’s outlook with the Red Wings centers on consistency, defensive responsibility, and providing veteran depth on a team aiming to climb the standings. His blend of experience, skating, and two-way play makes him a strong fit for Detroit’s long-term development plans through the 2025–26 season and beyond.