Michigan State hockey is seeing an influx in professional players with the program being as hot as it has ever been. Now, with the 2025 NHL free agency open, several Spartans have inked new deals with NHL franchises.
After Jeff Petry signed with the Florida Panthers and Mackenzie MacEachern signed with the Vancouver Canucks, Mason Appleton has now found his new home, one Spartan nation is very familiar with.
The Detroit Red Wings have signed the former Spartan right winger to a two year contract worth $2.9 million annually. Appleton will provide the Red Wings with a right shot presence in their bottom six.
A 6-foot-2, 195 pound winger, Appleton will provide some grittiness and toughness that the Wings are searching for in the bottom two lines.
Having played in seven NHL seasons, Appleton has played with the Winnipeg Jets for six and a half of them, spending the other half season with the Seattle Kraken. He has played in 400 career games in the NHL, scoring 57 goals with 81 assists.
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