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