The native of Green Bay, Wisconsin, was selected by the Winnipeg Jets in the sixth round (No. 168) of the 2015 NHL Draft, following a 12-goal, 40-point season with Tri-City of the United States Hockey League. He played two seasons at Michigan State before turning pro, signing with the Jets.

Appleton, a forward, put up good numbers in his 2017-18, his first pro season, finishing with 66 points (22 goals, 44 assists) in 76 games for Manitoba. He continued to produce offensively in 2018-19, earning a midseason callup from the Jets. He made his NHL debut against the New Jersey Devils on Dec. 1, 2018, earning a third-period assist. Appleton scored his first NHL goal in a 5-3 win against the San Jose Sharks on Dec. 20, 2019. He finished with 10 points (three goals, 10 assists) in 36 games, averaging 8:12 of ice time.

He played all of 2019-20 with the Jets, scoring goals in consecutive games on Feb. 16 and 18.

Appleton was selected by the Seattle Kraken from the Jets in the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft. He was traded back to Winnipeg on March 20, 2022 and signed a three-year, $6.5 million contract with the Jets on Aug. 7 as a restricted free agent to avoid a salary arbitration hearing.

NOTES & TRANSACTIONS

• AHL All-Rookie Team (2018)
• AHL First All-Star Team (2018)
• Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award (AHL Rookie of the Year) (2018)
• Claimed by Seattle from Winnipeg in Expansion Draft, July 21, 2021.
• Traded to Winnipeg by Seattle for a 4th-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, March 20, 2022.