Remember Mason Appleton? His First Pro Season Was Pretty Strong

One year is usually too soon for a "where are they now?" type thing, but in this case we'll make an exception.

A little over a year ago, Mason Appleton made the decision to forego his final two years of eligibility at Michigan State and accept the Winnipeg Jets' call to join their organization.

Appleton was a sixth round pick of the Jets back in 2015, number 168 overall. When he left MSU he was already anointed the team captain and led the Spartans in goal scoring the year previous.

Since that decision, he's been lights out.

Appleton finished his first regular season as a pro with Winnipeg's AHL affiliate, the Manitoba Moose, with 22 goals and 44 assists and played in all 76 games of the AHL season. For his efforts, Appleton was named the AHL rookie of the year, winning the Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award.

Appleton led all rookies in points (fourth in the entire league) and was one of only three AHL rookies to play in all their team's games this season. Appleton also made the AHL all-rookie team and was one of three forwards named to the AHL first all-star team.

The Moose finished the season with 92 points, good for third in the AHL central division. They will play the Grand Rapids Griffins (Red Wings AHL affiliate) in the first round of the AHL playoffs. The best 3-out-of-5 series begins Saturday in Manitoba. Games three through five (if necessary) will be in Grand Rapids on the 25th, 26th and 30th respectively.